Panel advances sweeping rewrite of contractor licensing; creates residential roofing and solar contractor classes

Senate Bill 122, a 45‑page rewrite of Louisiana contractor licensing law presented May 19, 2025, would add residential roofing and solar‑energy contractor classifications, expand scope and cost thresholds for licensure, require verified business names and updated financials for renewals, and impose stricter record‑keeping and penalty provisions.

Senator Abraham told the House Commerce Committee the bill “rewrites some of the Louisiana contracting licensing law” and “adds new licenses for residential roofing contractor and solar energy equipment contractor.” He also said the bill “institutes mandatory record keeping for 5 years” and expands penalties, including fines up to 10% of project value and license suspension for improper advertising or contract misrepresentation.

Key provisions and intent: a new residential roofing classification is intended to address complaints the licensing board has received about untested home‑improvement contractors performing roofing work. Brandon (identified in the hearing as a representative involved in board matters) explained residential roofing “can be performed by a residential builder or a home improvement contractor” today, but said the change would create a standalone residential roofing classification so that those who put roofs on homes have testing or demonstrated competency. Repo Meng (identified as speaking for the licensing board) said the solar contractor definition was moved into statute “for clarity” to ensure it covers both large solar farms and residential or small‑commercial solar work.

The bill also would require contractors to register every license classification under a verified business name, submit updated financial statements at renewal (the original bill required CPA‑signed statements; the amendment removes the CPA signature requirement but retains financial disclosure), and maintain five years of records. Senator Abraham said modular home projects would require $50,000 or greater to fall under the new provisions. The bill’s effective date is January 1, 2026.

Support and testimony: Brad Hassard of the state licensing board participated at the table; several industry groups filed cards in support, including the Louisiana Home Builders Association (Michelle Shirley), Louisiana Manufactured Housing Association (Steve Duke), Louisiana Roofing Contractors Association (Darren Beauvoir; Ray Mills; Tony Granite), Guillot Roofing and Construction (Josh Guillot), and the Department of Insurance (Beryl Peacock, Chief Deputy Commissioner — listed as in support on blue cards). Senator Abraham said stakeholders worked “for a long time trying to make sure everyone's happy.”

Action: Representative Domingue moved to report Senate Bill 122 with amendments; the committee adopted a set of technical amendments offered earlier (amendment set 3009 was adopted) and then reported the bill favorable with amendments.

Discussion versus action: committee members asked detailed questions about the scope of the solar classification (covering farms and residential installations) and the new residential roofing license; witnesses and board representatives clarified that the statutory changes move definitions into law for clarity and introduce testing/qualification for roofing work. The committee approved technical amendments and reported the bill favorable with those amendments.