CSLB takes positions on solar disclosure, several bills and approves licensing waivers; votes summarized

The Contractors State License Board on March 14 reviewed multiple regulatory and legislative items and recorded actions including: a staff recommendation on a new solar energy system disclosure document, formal positions on several bills, and authorization for staff to waive certain trade exams for out-of-state applicants who passed an equivalent national exam.

Solar disclosure: Staff briefed the board on a four-part solar energy system disclosure document recently approved by the California Public Utilities Commission for investor-owned utilities. Staff noted the Public Utilities Commission will require that disclosure for certain customers and asked whether CSLB should enforce or verify the document. After discussion of industry concerns, staff recommended no immediate board action; the board reached consensus to take no action at this meeting and for staff to continue working with stakeholders (CalSA/PUC) and return with recommendations at a later meeting.

Licensing waivers for out-of-state applicants: The board authorized staff, on a case-by-case basis, to waive California’s general building trade exam for out-of-state applicants who hold a current, good‑standing license and who passed the NASCLA Commercial General Building examination (NASCLA is the National Association of State Contractors Licensing Agencies). The board applied the same staff‑delegation approach to residential remodeling (B‑2) equivalency reviews when another state’s exam is judged comparable; staff will require applicants to meet all statutory licensure prerequisites.

Legislative positions and motions (summary rows): the board took recorded positions during the legislative segment. Key items discussed and recorded during the meeting included:

- AB 476 (Gonzales) — new licensure for scrap-metal purchasers: staff recommended opposition because establishing a new licensing program would require substantial upfront resources (IT, exam development, enforcement) and because scope and impact were unclear. The board moved to oppose and the motion passed. (Record: staff motion to oppose; vote recorded in the meeting.)

- Cancellation notice bill (author/AB # not specified in packet text) — the bill would allow contract cancellation by email or telephone for residential contracts. Board members expressed concern that allowing telephone-only cancellation creates a “he said/she said” enforcement problem; a motion to oppose unless amended passed seeking to require a written confirmation (email or contractor written confirmation) rather than a telephone-only mechanism. The board adopted language calling for removal of telephone-only cancellation or adding a mandatory written confirmation requirement; the motion passed.

- Disaster recovery / emergency classification bill (Senate bill referenced in discussion): staff described proposed language to allow flexibility in authorizing classifications during declared disasters and noted coordination with Los Angeles County on hazard training; board members voiced concern about scope and enforcement. The board recorded a position to oppose the bill as drafted (staff will continue to monitor amendments and work with the author/stakeholders). A motion was made and passed.

Other formal actions: the board approved appointments to the Construction Management Education (CME) advisory committee (CMEA) for the July 20259June 2028 term; and staff reported multiple administrative items including budget and staffing updates.

The board’s minutes and motions recorded at the meeting will be reflected in the posted minutes; staff will follow up on the solar disclosure, legislative amendments, and the exam‑waiver procedures.