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Senate committee advances bill to codify objective licensure standards for five trades
Summary
A Senate committee unanimously passed a substitute for Senate Bill 553 to move subjective board rules into statute for five trade divisions, requiring measurable experience, affidavits for verification and revised exam timing; proponents said it improves transparency while members pressed staff on verification and potential protectionism.
Senate committee members on Monday advanced a committee substitute for Senate Bill 553 aimed at codifying objective licensing requirements for five construction-trade divisions and reducing reliance on subjective board rules.
The measure, presented by Senator Hatchett on behalf of Governor Kemp, would set defined years of experience, require affidavits from licensed supervisors to verify work, identify approved educational programs, and change the exam process so applicants must pass exams before filing an application with the board. Hatchett told the committee the objective is to “streamline a very confusing and quite frankly outdated licensing process” so “anyone pursuing a trade can read the law and know exactly what they need to do to qualify for licensure.”
Supporters said the bill addresses two legal developments. Committee witnesses and the sponsor cited recent court decisions requiring clearer statutory standards and limiting broad delegations to boards;…
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