Contractors seek more time to comply

Residential remodelers, building contractors and other construction specialists could have more time to post their lead certification qualifications on a website as required by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The House passed HF166/ SF139* as amended Feb. 10 on a 119-0 vote. Sponsored by Rep. Karen Clark (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Ted Lillie (R-Lake Elmo), it now returns to the Senate, where the original measure passed 63-0 on Feb. 7.

Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) successfully amended the bill to ensure that the state government does not develop a certification process or fee. This would not affect local governments.

The bill amends the effective date of last year’s law that brought the state building code into compliance with the EPA requirements regarding lead removal certification reporting. The new effective date would be Aug. 1, 2011, instead of Feb. 1, 2011.

Some licensed contractors need more time to post their lead certification on the EPA website, said Lisa Frenette, government affairs director the Builders Association of Minnesota. She said the association needs more time to get the word out to its members that the posting is required, and for them to comply.