Committee adopts substitute, forwards 45-page regulated-industries cleanup bill to full committee

The Professional License and Subdivision Committee adopted a committee substitute and voted to pass a broad regulated-industries bill (LC550466S) to the full committee. Representative Washburn introduced the measure, described by supporters as a multi-year cleanup to align licensing language and procedures across five trades: utility contractors, mechanical contractors, plumbers, electricians and low-voltage contractors.

"This bill is actually 4 years old," said Lee Lemke, an industry representative and bill advocate. Lemke said the legislation combines numerous drafting cleanups and modernizations. A key substantive provision he highlighted addresses continuity of work when a licensed contractor dies: it would allow 90 days for an employer or estate to obtain a registered licensee to keep ongoing contracts operating.

The bill also includes cross-trade uniformity changes (for example, hyphenation and terminology cleanups for "low-voltage"), and trade-specific adjustments to licensure and practice rules. Lemke said the measure was developed at the request of the chairs of five licensing boards; Roland Weakley, the boards' convenor, was noted as the lead organizer but was not present.

Committee members discussed whether to hold a separate hearing or move the substitute forward. The chair noted that members had previously heard similar legislation and that negotiators had circulated a substitute the committee received at the meeting. Representative Hart said, "given the fact that we have heard this bill before ... I would like to make a motion to pass." The committee approved the motion to pass and then adopted the committee substitute by voice vote. The chair announced the bill will proceed to the full committee.

Stakeholders in the room included representatives for electrical contractors, independent electrical contractors, low-voltage interests, and telecommunications-related low-voltage work. Joel Wiggins, Tucker Green and Ranga Chatham were among those cited by the bill advocate as participating in negotiations. Supporters framed the bill as preserving contractors' ability to complete work and as reducing inconsistent language across multiple trade statutes.

The transcript records no roll-call tally by individual members for the substitute; committee action was recorded by voice vote. The committee did not identify budgetary impacts, nor did it record additional technical amendments beyond adopting the provided substitute LC550466S. The bill now moves to the full committee for further consideration.