Division implements temporary fee cuts for building, factory‑built and public‑works permits; committee approves dockets

The Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses presented several temporary rule dockets on Jan. 21, 2025 that implement fee decreases for multiple boards in response to the division’s cash‑balance review under Senate Bill 1442. The House Business Committee approved each docket by voice vote.

Katie Stewart, Bureau Chief for the Administration Bureau at DOPL, said the division’s intent language from last year required a report on cash balances and that the division has taken affirmative steps to lower costs for licensees where possible. She said the Building Code Board voted to reduce permit fees by 30%, the Factory‑Built Structures Board reduced permit fees by 20%, and the Public Works Contractor Licensing Board reduced fees by 20% and added “not to exceed” language that allows future decreases without separate rulemaking to restore balance where appropriate.

"These temporary rules for licensing fee decrease in last or part of last year, the intent language that came about with Senate Bill 14 42...the building code board voted to reduce the permit fees within their licensing rules by 30%." Katie Stewart said during presentation.

Committee members asked for broader context about how many boards are below the division’s 30% cash‑balance threshold; Stewart said 13 boards were under that threshold and that some boards had been in the red for years. Representative Barbieri asked whether costs such as rule production, administrative hearings, or litigation contributed to deficits; Stewart responded that rulemaking, hearings, administrative complaints and litigation can all contribute to board expenditures.

Representative Ehlers raised that one board had a very large cash balance (he cited an earlier report indicating nearly $5,000,000 and roughly 13 years of operating budget). Stewart replied boards have made initial reductions (typically 20% per the division plan) and the division is exploring further options including a possible fee holiday and legislation to codify the intent language, create a statutory cap and floor for board cash balances, and provide administrative authority for temporary fee holidays in extreme cases.

The committee approved each temporary docket by voice vote and the division indicated it will bring follow‑up legislation to the Legislature to provide statutory authority for fee holidays and to codify the cash‑balance guidance.