Missouri committee hears bill to require contractor registration for roofing and solar work after storm-chasing complaints

A Missouri House committee heard testimony on House Bill 1348 on consumer protections for roofing and solar customers, including a proposed state registration for contractors and minimum documentation requirements.

Representative David Castile, 90th District, told the committee the bill would require roofing and solar contractors doing business in Missouri to file basic contact information with the Secretary of State, obtain a sales-tax license from the Department of Revenue, provide a tax ID number and carry workers' compensation insurance. "All it's doing, it is mandatory for roofing companies and solar companies operating within the state of Missouri to, to do business," Castile said. "It's asking for basic information for the sake of, protecting the address and website addresses of and any other contact information of the applicant."

The nut graf: supporters said the measure is aimed at reducing so‑called storm‑chaser scams that follow severe weather; opponents and committee members pressed on how the registry would be enforced, how out‑of‑state contractors would…