Bill Text: HI SB512 | 2013 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Electrical Contractors; Licensing; Exemptions; High Voltage

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2013-05-01 - Act 065, 4/30/2013 (Gov. Msg. No. 1165). [SB512 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2013-SB512-Amended.html

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

512

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Act 35, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, established new minimum qualification licensing requirements for electricians effective July 1, 2013.  The legislature further finds that most in-state electrical workers are experienced in low voltage work, which includes wiring buildings at one hundred twenty/two hundred forty volts.  However, there are currently not enough electricians, splicers, and linemen in the State who are experienced and qualified to work with high voltage (six hundred volts or higher) and who can perform certain complex maintenance and repair work affecting an electric utility.

     The legislature additionally finds that Act 35, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, has had inadvertent consequences.  Due to the current lack of electricians, splicers, and linemen in the State who are experienced and qualified to work with high voltage, it may be necessary for an electric utility to contract and retain qualified personnel from other jurisdictions in the United States to perform such high voltage work.  However, under the licensing requirements established by Act 35, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, personnel from other jurisdictions who are qualified to perform such high voltage work, but are otherwise not licensed in the State, would be prohibited from offering assistance through a contract to an electric utility.  The legislature concludes that there are potential impacts to the health and safety of the State and its residents, and a specific exception to the licensing requirements for certain qualified individuals is therefore needed.

     The purpose of this Act is to provide a limited exemption to the licensing requirements for certain individuals in situations when an electric utility must contract with qualified individuals to work with high voltage (six hundred volts or higher), who are not licensed in the State but are otherwise deemed qualified and authorized to perform such high voltage work by a municipal, county, or state governmental authority in other jurisdictions of the United States.

     SECTION 2.  Section 448E-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§448E-13  Exemption of public utility and community antennae television company [employees.] personnel.  The following persons shall be exempt from this chapter:

     (1)  All employees of a public utility within the State under a franchise or charter granted by the State which is regulated by the public utilities commission and community antennae television company, while so employed[, shall be exempt from the provision of this chapter.]; and

     (2)  Persons who are:

         (A)  Retained by a public utility within the State under a franchise or charter granted by the State which is regulated by the public utilities commission to perform high voltage (six hundred volts or higher) electrical work for the public utility;

         (B)  Deemed qualified and authorized to perform such electrical work by a municipal, county, or state governmental authority in other jurisdictions of the United States; and

         (C)  In good standing and whose authorization to perform such electrical work has not been revoked or suspended for cause."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that on June 30, 2018, this Act shall be repealed and section 448E-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day before the effective date of this Act.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Electrical Contractors; Licensing; Exemptions; High Voltage

 

Description:

Provides a limited exemption to the licensing requirements for certain individuals in situations when an electric utility must contract with qualified individuals to work with high voltage (six hundred volts or more), who are not licensed in Hawaii but who are deemed qualified and authorized to perform high voltage work by another jurisdiction in the United States.  Sunset 6/30/2018.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

 

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