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House passes contractor-licensing recodification after amendment to allow temporary licensure fails
Summary
First substitute HB 40, a recodification of contractor licensing laws, passed the Utah House after lawmakers rejected an amendment to permit temporary licenses (up to 90 days) based on state background checks while federal checks are pending. Sponsor and opponents debated whether the floor is the proper place for policy changes during recodification.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House passed first substitute House Bill 40 on Jan. 29, approving a recodification of contractor licensing rules after rejecting a floor amendment that would have allowed temporary licenses for workers while federal background checks are pending.
Representative Tom Peterson presented HB 40 as a recodification of contractor licensing requirements. Representative Jason Thompson offered Amendment 1 to allow individuals who have been Utah residents for 12 months and who have a returned state BCI background check to receive a temporary work authorization not to exceed 90 days while federal checks are completed. Thompson said the measure would help seasonal workers and contractors avoid months-long delays caused by federal background-check backlogs.
Representative Cutler questioned whether a state background check would catch convictions from other states. Thompson said state checks capture many relevant records but acknowledged some differences with federal checks. Representative Gwynn objected to making policy changes during recodification work, saying substantive changes should be introduced in separate legislation.
The House voted against adoption of Amendment 1 on a voice vote. Representative Peterson completed the floor presentation and the House passed first substitute HB 40 on the third-reading calendar by a vote of 70-1.
The bill will go to the Senate for consideration. On the floor, lawmakers stressed the policy distinction between technical recodification and substantive changes, and the failed amendment highlighted concern about balancing business needs, background-check accuracy and process consistency.
