[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6606371,"mediaKeyId","2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720","parentId",2965324,"title","CSLB legislative committee reviews bills affecting licensing, enforcement and contract rules; staff to return in June","audioSeconds",4032,"startMs",9088000,"endMs",13120000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720&start=9088&end=13120","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720/thumbnail_9088000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6606371/California/CSLB-legislative-committee-reviews-bills-affecting-licensing-enforcement-and-contract-rules-staff-to-return-in-June","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606371-c9cec754f0f092461fd070d8458dc3f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934472&Signature=b-hU7HNLnPQRNrWlke5W03kPhN79cfKglnwE9marYeUC0m4WyFUXqPjxoNohsYcWFDBKxlbIy3MZoGZrRTmC9NAJkHW7UMuUBknGkVntJVUgCNhNFAHWzlLGZxpKhigmjsFNJNBYz~7FLycpIAFgeuJDx9fGRAzugtZG1YgUrYncT08BsrpJs7Z4A4CHPSMaNUTUF0lIWeC-2exmIbMNNPe7Aq6LkbDi5FhRODt4dOJJY5cgSnrHuymEjifP4BoeFcqRnmI52J8HVMDgSKLkBf32MKMIzArmR2DxtnAvVG0UStZaDJ3IsrbLPXAUgwGyDESLsdXBHWooJQmjNGvf8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Contractors State License Board","date","2025-04-01T15:59:40Z","article","The Contractors State License Board’s legislative committee reviewed a set of pending bills on April 11 that could affect licensing, enforcement and contract requirements. Committee chair called the meeting to summarize staff analyses and collect input; no formal votes were taken because the meeting was a remote committee session.

Staff described nine bills including AB 485 (Ortega), which would require a board to deny a license or renewal if the Labor Commissioner determines a licensee has an unsatisfied wage judgment; AB 667, which would formalize use of interpreters during licensing exams and require reporting of that usage; AB 742, proposing prioritized processing for descendants of enslaved people; AB 1002, which would permit the Attorney General to pursue civil actions that could affect licensure for unpaid worker judgments; AB 1341, which would treat unlicensed practice in architecture or engineering as grounds for CSLB discipline; SB 61, proposing a 5% retention cap on private work payments; SB 456, a narrow art/mural exemption from licensure; and SB 517, which would require home‑improvement contracts to list subcontractor name and contact information where the subcontractor performs more than 50% of estimated costs (staff suggested clarifying amendments to preserve prime‑contractor accountability).

Staff recommended neutral or support positions on several bills, and the committee asked staff to prepare more detailed analyses and proposed amendments ahead of the full board’s June meeting where the board may take formal positions. Committee members asked staff to examine implementation complexity and to consult with related licensing entities — for example, if regulations overlap with architects and engineers — and to study whether policy changes would impose additional workload, fiscal impact or legal risk.

Public commenters urged the board to consider additional protections related to wage theft and mass‑fraud scenarios, a financial‑hardship triage and cross‑jurisdictional enforcement protocols. Several speakers requested that staff consider lowering thresholds in bills that use a 50% subcontractor rule, require subcontractor license numbers and include notice obligations when subcontractors change during a job. A number of stakeholders said they will work with staff and authors on amendments before the June meeting.

Because no formal committee vote was required, the committee asked staff to return with updated analyses and proposed amendment language for several bills at the June 13 quarterly board meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CSLB Committee Meetings April 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 11 legislative committee meeting CSLB staff summarized nine pending bills ranging from wage‑related license denial to a proposed mural exemption; staff recommended mostly neutral or support positions and the committee directed staff to bring several items back for formal board consideration at the June meeting.","taxTitle","Contractors State License Board, Other State Agencies, Executive, California","taxId",76729,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606376,"Arbitration program processes contractor disputes quickly, MCC reports 41‑day turnaround",796,6935000,7731000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720&start=6935&end=7731","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720/thumbnail_6935000.jpg","/articles/6606376/California/Arbitration-program-processes-contractor-disputes-quickly-MCC-reports-41day-turnaround","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606376-1dcd90a56ef37cff5c955221f6c765f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934472&Signature=WdeiHS72kXd85VjbIdkjfSI~TZk7kd2VmBYoBGE8UrbCDkyHF9R3w6tSsVc5fTPkkdsfaBPYFUUZujb1KjcGrU0dJMRwOv35t5mw4pSZNZtF5t7lOnZF76S0qVSHozKfEbip~ZuotSpJ3zg8ofGBwAY7Ht5p06HOaz4uk9X7RXk9jgkMRVP0iOTbp~SE0s8NanmfXfXBVtwOkMMIxTG2uO~OzbfE~SfIhqjyaeGHaDw7FVYcHy46-Yy6V9uS5g~PGiMcftBAyIzUJ3xMO9BQc055h0TRLqBCV5xGMZJAEmLUey0-0msOrX~3sXc9sbVbgqj8rsfj-43UQ4Oom0iQrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Karen, president of MCC Arbitration Mediation and Affiliation Center (the CSLB arbitration provider), told the enforcement committee that the board’s arbitration program issued about 410 awards in 2024 totaling nearly $5 million. She said the program can accept electronic filings and conduct hearings remotely, which MCC credits for the program’s speed.

Karen said the program’s average turnaround is 41 days from receipt of a case to the award. “One of the stats we are most proud of is that there is currently a 41 day turnaround, from when we get the case in our doors... and when we turn around an award,” she told the committee.

MCC staff said arbitration is binding and private, can be less costly than court and often resolves disputes involving workmanship and unpaid balances. The provider said it seeks arbitrators with both legal and trade expertise and that participant evaluations average about 4.8 out of 5 on hearing quality.

Karen recommended increasing the voluntary arbitration award limit from $50,000 to a higher threshold — she suggested $100,000 — to make the program useful in higher‑value disputes. The provider also asked for continued training cooperation between MCC and CSLB so staff and arbitrators remain aligned on process and evidentiary expectations.

Board members and public commenters welcomed the program’s speed and suggested expanded outreach so homeowners and contractors are aware arbitration is an option before escalating to litigation.","Mediation and arbitration provider MCC told CSLB the board’s arbitration program averaged a 41‑day turnaround from filing to award last year, with about 410 awards totaling roughly $5 million; provider urged expanding voluntary arbitration limits and continued training for arbitrators.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606379,"Enforcement committee: CSLB reports 9,317 complaints since July, expands Multiple Offender Unit",462,6114000,6576000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720&start=6114&end=6576","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720/thumbnail_6114000.jpg","/articles/6606379/California/Enforcement-committee-CSLB-reports-9317-complaints-since-July-expands-Multiple-Offender-Unit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606379-6e45bcc6395f5f0be0faf272bfed5a24/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934472&Signature=JV-QXQIazWtKTOfO~T5LeBrKpCxJcaYpl2DdMqdbUzQQ568hckU7FDpVu50Efd7Dbsh10ONl~tx3KjwKFS5WRFEwEiaXb90OzoM7CDJFRVgtyvOidXSN2~VUK8IZLhJaJTovuLPrF0f-0i7JWhcmqG8Ci09-tVQX-TlRsRXtAM~EOSUuvZEi58EET7THFAtXWF8GXlyKmZeIS7OK0EwSgWmoR6OOJ-IRVvho0ErFK1Ff-RdaQyErSI25NNvtFKNFr5QDOOVpBZfCXJgZoYwB48NuoGohEpQ2ONrAO6ahKlTHKHtKQKV~InqIS49fXXjyWxfJpXceeE4vSMxjh7bvLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Enforcement Chief Steve Grove briefed the Contractors State License Board’s Enforcement Committee on April 11 about complaint handling and targeted investigations. Grove said that, since July 1, 2024, the board has received 9,317 complaints and that intake and mediation centers have settled about 31% of licensee complaints this fiscal year, recovering approximately $11,743,932 in restitution for consumers.

Grove described the investigative structure: complaints that cannot be settled in intake are transferred to one of ten investigation centers across the state and assigned to special investigators; to date this fiscal year about 4,245 complaints have been assigned to CSLB special investigators and the current average caseload is about 37 per investigator.

To focus on repeat offenders, staff created a Multiple Offender Unit (MOU) in late 2023 that receives referrals when contractors have many open complaints. Grove said the MOU has handled 1,359 complaints since inception, closed 772 and currently has 587 pending; the unit’s work has produced 22 licensees referred for accusation, with 23% of those accused resulting in revocations. Grove said the unit has recently acquired three additional analyst positions and hiring will start next week. He told the committee the board will lower MOU referral thresholds from contractors with 10 or more open complaints to those with 5 or more as staff capacity grows.

Grove also described administrative and criminal referral pathways: some cases resolve through settlement or administrative action (letters of acknowledgment, citations, accusations), while the most egregious misconduct (elder abuse, diversion of funds, predatory business practices) may be referred to local district attorneys for prosecution; Grove said 398 complaints were referred for criminal prosecution this fiscal year.

Members asked about processing times and prioritization. Public commenters and several board members urged new triage capabilities to surface mass‑fraud victims and financially vulnerable complainants more quickly; several advocates urged the board to consider emergency mass‑fraud response protocols and cross‑jurisdictional task forces to expedite civil and criminal actions in large‑scale scams.","Enforcement staff reported more than 9,300 complaints received since July 1, 2024, strong settlement activity in intake centers and expansion of the Multiple Offender Unit (MOU) with three new analyst positions to target repeat bad actors, staff said.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606384,"CSLB staff at Los Angeles disaster recovery centers as wildfire outreach continues; $529,000 reimbursement reported",511,3239000,3750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720&start=3239&end=3750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720/thumbnail_3239000.jpg","/articles/6606384/California/CSLB-staff-at-Los-Angeles-disaster-recovery-centers-as-wildfire-outreach-continues-529000-reimbursement-reported","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606384-be0c83d2b5c9864f3cbf11fdcb017360/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934472&Signature=aduaZhz0cBDITuggvg6o9QuReBV-zp3gI7alltkkEMUsmaz4ZzVFC2yPvBEfcMAu3E2PIK0r6swvrd4lfnGCV3aPIybGjg3w8uCQcvTKQBmUVlA7mwELwtwh45mJhXyKUkh8ay3bsLnHEeYA7P5q4E7WNDnWpC1RUJAjF9knO3CuGN92N7dr7FmeHiqvZwcxpRLBPYkFsaU2dHrpCJJqu6-BmgZOJ7X9pwf9uhHjfjDeFEFG5gPjiVDVhWtaFUYYa9E~PzLT93lHZEIbu9eCzUpmQ-aWYzM~N26nQNt7dRWCT9t9ykm5jgxMudn9Ac3-Mz6UXNlCLYuAd6b3aLsT1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Registrar David Vogt updated the board’s executive committee on April 11 about CSLB outreach, enforcement and education in wildfire‑affected Los Angeles County. Vogt said CSLB deployed investigators to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) and has conducted sweeps of burn areas with partner agencies to check for unlicensed activity and unsafe debris‑removal operations.

Vogt described enforcement priorities at DRCs as protecting consumers and ensuring hazardous materials are handled correctly. He said complaints often stem from hazardous‑waste bagging errors and from contractors operating without required hazardous‑material certifications. Vogt noted the board’s SWIFT investigators were conducting two sweeps per week in the affected areas and that the enforcement team had established an interagency referral process with Cal/OSHA for unsafe working conditions.

On education and outreach, Vogt said CSLB is conducting webinars with state and local officials about rebuilding and debris removal; the board scheduled a CSLB webinar focused on debris removal for April 22 and planned another webinar on rebuilding on April 17 with a state senator. Vogt also said the agency was updating public materials including a “fast facts” bulletin clarifying classifications authorized to perform debris removal and confirming required certifications for hazardous material removal.

Budget manager Stacy Paul told the committee that CSLB has received reimbursement for disaster response expenses. Paul said the agency has “received $529,000 in general fund reimbursement,” money that will offset costs from staffing and operating the DRCs.

Committee members and public commenters raised concerns about independent‑contractor misclassification, workers’ compensation coverage and the potential for fraudulent operators to exploit disaster conditions. Enforcement Chief Steve Grove said CSLB is coordinating with Los Angeles County District Attorney offices and other agencies to pursue unlicensed practice and fraud where appropriate.

Vogt said the board expects to post a contractor contact list for debris‑removal bids on the CSLB disaster help center page and to issue an updated fast‑facts bulletin ahead of permit‑heavy rebuild activity.","CSLB said it has staffed disaster recovery centers to assist wildfire survivors, conducted sweep operations with partner agencies and prepared outreach materials; the board reported receiving $529,000 in general‑fund reimbursement for DRC costs and plans additional webinars on debris removal and rebuilding.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6606388,"CSLB to digitize license applications and records; online sole‑owner form, cloud document system planned",615,1079000,1694000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720&start=1079&end=1694","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965324-4f538a34d47a9de3d37789a19af41720/thumbnail_1079000.jpg","/articles/6606388/California/CSLB-to-digitize-license-applications-and-records-online-soleowner-form-cloud-document-system-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6606388-79b4c1a1e95d175c3dc5a3ecf99a30aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770934472&Signature=KUqlLd9vAOGeexAn5VHv~SYXgrX1EX92M1gF1Wn8iVT~RkiDQ7zX-7eZ242n7soRN-1CS3Eq~NMBJoeF5vZRvjC5IluckOy8XhydPWWD2d4h649VJKCjhfkvcZ~pKQwgKixlQeFbCUcX3Y0TVElPyWZFxJjFIqBO~YLVrlYMkrznkrwkgbipn7spaSJXgpgLHTbQUczlqpqUYUvhTowvWQUneNsHbwJYeGOmyXebyjqXIDKzrg1kkR5TD44BH6sRRqExCiswHEoqGiPcqkApYeG1fgeGFU-inwFrn6u7UAoqOoB9lb2ew0zGZl92qwSolTfNfMYJy1kd6RzYuCGhgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Contractors State License Board told its executive committee on April 11 that it is moving forward with two IT projects intended to automate licensing and centralize records. Mike Collins, an IT manager presenting to the Executive Committee, said the board is working with SimplyGov to build an interview‑style online application for sole‑owner contractor licenses that will let applicants upload documents and pay fees electronically.

Said Mike Collins: “We are in the process of automating our original contractors, license original application for original contracts license, and we'll be automating that so that we could be submitted online.” He told the committee the initial development focuses on sole‑owner applications and that the agency expects an initial phase to roll out “later this year, summer 2025.”

Registrar David Vogt and IT staff said the first phase will improve the applicant experience and reduce the frequency of incomplete or unsigned paper submissions, but faster applicant-facing processes will not immediately eliminate manual back‑office processing. Collins said the back‑office dashboard and workflow (Phase 2) for staff review and validation remain to be built.

Separately, IT manager Radeu Shah briefed the committee on a cloud‑based enterprise document management system (EDMS) intended to replace the agency’s legacy imaging system. Shah said the board negotiated a single price for unlimited storage and that the replacement system was undergoing testing and staff training.

Shah told the committee the replacement platform is “ready to go live actually end of this month,” and that the system should reduce physical paper storage, improve searchable records, and allow more secure data sharing with other state agencies as integrations are built.

Staff and board members flagged next steps: build the back‑office workflow that will allow staff to process electronically submitted applications; integrate EDMS with the new application portal and other internal systems; and scope enforcement‑related data exchanges. Committee members asked for performance metrics and a timeline for the staff dashboard that will handle electronic submissions.

Public commenters who follow contractor fraud and consumer protection urged that IT planning include integrated case‑tracking features and a financial‑hardship triage to identify victims rapidly, proposals staff said they would consider while finalizing strategic priorities.

The executive committee heard the IT updates as part of its strategic‑goal work and will receive project progress reports at future board meetings.","The Contractors State License Board said it will roll out an online application for sole‑owner contractor licenses and a new enterprise document management system this year, aiming to speed applicant experience and reduce staff rework; back‑office workflow and enforcement integrations remain planned for later phases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CSLB legislative committee reviews bills affecting licensing, enforcement and contract rules; staff to return in June

Arbitration program processes contractor disputes quickly, MCC reports 41‑day turnaround

Enforcement committee: CSLB reports 9,317 complaints since July, expands Multiple Offender Unit

CSLB staff at Los Angeles disaster recovery centers as wildfire outreach continues; $529,000 reimbursement reported

CSLB to digitize license applications and records; online sole‑owner form, cloud document system planned