New license requirements

A bill that adds training and licensure requirements for school boiler operators and certain types of contractors is headed to the governor’s desk.

Sponsored by Rep. Tim Mahoney (DFL-St. Paul), HF927*/ SF1004 would clarify statutes relating to the licensing of various construction trades. On Feb. 22, House members voted 82-50 to pass the bill, which now awaits action by Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

Selected provisions in the bill include:

• requiring eight hours of annual training for school boiler operators;

• forbidding contractors from advertising services for which they are not licensed;

• establishing licensure requirements for those who install and maintain medical gas systems; and

• requiring licensure for anyone who installs water conditioning systems.

Mahoney described the legislation as a “housekeeping bill” for the Department of Labor and Industry; however, some Republican House members voiced opposition. Rep. Torrey Westrom (R-Elbow Lake) called new licensure requirements “another piece of red tape in front of the small business owners out there.”

The House originally passed the bill 78-54 on May 14, 2009. The Senate passed the bill 58-6 on May 18, 2009, after amending it.

Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL-Brooklyn Park) is the Senate sponsor.