Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
Act 746 of the Regular Session
*LGL199* 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
State of Arkansas As Engrossed: S4/7/25 1
95th General Assembly A Bill 2
Regular Session, 2025 SENATE BILL 627 3
4
By: Senators Irvin, J. Bryant 5
By: Representatives Wooldridge, Cozart, McGrew, Andrews 6
7
For An Act To Be Entitled 8
AN ACT TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CODE 9
ENFORCEMENT SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND 10
LICENSING; TO REPEAL THE ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AND 11
AIR CONDITIONING ELECTRICIAN LICENSES; TO TRANSFER 12
AND UPGRADE THE CLASS C HVACR LICENSE; TO IMPROVE THE 13
LICENSING OF APPRENTICE ELECTRICIANS; TO HELP THE 14
ELEVATOR OWNERS SATISFY TESTING REQUIREMENTS; TO 15
CLARIFY ANNUAL LICENSING RENEWAL PERIODS; TO AID IN 16
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE STATE’S ELECTRICIAN, HVACR, 17
ELEVATOR, AND BOILER SAFETY LAWS; AND FOR OTHER 18
PURPOSES. 19
20
21
Subtitle 22
TO ASSIST THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CODE 23
ENFORCEMENT SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 24
LABOR AND LICENSING AND THE STATE'S 25
ELECTRICIAN, HVACR, ELEVATOR, AND BOILER 26
SAFETY LAWS. 27
28
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 29
30
SECTION 1. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-101(1), concerning the definition of 31
air conditioning electrician, is repealed. 32
(1) “Air conditioning electrician” means an individual who is 33
limited to a license classification possessing the necessary qualifications, 34
training, and technical knowledge for the installation, maintenance, and 35
extension of electrical conductors and equipment solely for the purpose of 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
2 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
supplying heating and air conditioning and refrigeration units; 1
2
SECTION 2. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-102(c)(1), concerning the 3
construction and exemptions of line voltage power wiring, is amended to read 4
as follows: 5
(c)(1) Any holder of a state -issued heating, ventilation, air 6
conditioning, and refrigeration, or HVACR, license may run line voltage power 7
wiring in compliance with the state electric code from a disconnect box to an 8
outdoor HVACR unit within a distance not to exceed ten (10') seventy-five 9
(75') feet from any point of the HVACR equipment without obtaining an 10
electrician's license as required by this chapter. 11
12
SECTION 3. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-203(a), concerning fees for the 13
licensing examinations of electricians, is amended to read as follows: 14
(a) The Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas is 15
authorized to conduct examinations of persons applying for a license as a 16
master electrician, journeyman electrician, industrial maintenance 17
electrician, residential master electrician, air conditioning electrician, 18
specialist sign electrician, or residential journeyman electrician. These 19
persons shall pay fees established by the board, but in no event shall such 20
examination fees exceed the following: 21
(1) Master electrician ............. $100.00 22
(2) Journeyman electrician ............. 100.00 23
(3) Industrial maintenance electrician ............. 50.00 24
(4) Residential master electrician ............. 100.00 25
(5) Residential journeyman electrician ............. 100.00 26
(6) Air conditioning electrician ............. 100.00 27
(7)(6) Specialist sign electrician with parking lot endorsement 28
............. 100.00 29
30
SECTION 4. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-301 is amended to read as follows: 31
17-28-301. Electrician's license — Issuance and renewal — Fees. 32
(a) Individuals passing the master, journeyman, residential master, 33
residential journeyman, air conditioning electrician, specialist sign 34
electrician, or industrial maintenance electrician's examination as specified 35
in § 17-28-203 shall be issued a license of the same class as that of the 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
3 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
examination upon payment of the following fees: 1
(1) Master electrician ............. $50.00 2
(2) Journeyman electrician ............. 25.00 3
(3) Industrial maintenance electrician ............. 25.00 4
(4) Residential master electrician ............. 50.00 5
(5) Residential journeyman electrician ............. 25.00 6
(6) Air conditioning electrician ............. 25.00 7
(7)(6) Specialist sign electrician with parking lot endorsement 8
............. 25.00. 9
(b)(1) Licenses shall expire on the date indicated on the licenses. 10
(2) The license may be renewed for a period of one (1) , two (2), 11
or three (3) years year with the fee to be as follows: 12
(A) Master electrician ............. $50.00 per year 13
(B) Journeyman electrician ............. 25.00 per year 14
(C) Industrial maintenance electrician ............. 25.00 15
per year 16
(D) Residential master electrician ............. 50.00 per 17
year 18
(E) Residential journeyman electrician ............. 25.00 19
per year 20
(F) Air conditioning electrician ............. 25.00 per 21
year 22
(G)(F) Specialist sign electrician with parking lot 23
endorsement ............. 25.00 per year. 24
(3) A licensee may renew his or her license within thirty-six 25
(36) months following the expiration date on the license by paying: 26
(A) The renewal fee under subdivision (b)(2) of this 27
section; 28
(B) A late fee equal to one (1) year of the renewal fee 29
plus ten dollars ($10.00) for each calendar month between the expiration date 30
indicated on the license and the date of application for renewal; and 31
(C) Any outstanding monetary civil penalty. 32
(4) If a licensee shall fail to renew his or her license within 33
thirty-six (36) months after the expiration date on the license, the licensee 34
may reinstate his or her license by retaking the examination required under § 35
17-28-203 and paying: 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
4 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(A) The fees and any applicable penalty under subdivision 1
(b)(3) of this section; and 2
(B) An additional penalty of one thousand dollars 3
($1,000). 4
(5)(A) The Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of 5
Arkansas may, after hearing, deny renewal or reinstatement of a license for 6
cause. 7
(B) The applicant for renewal or reinstatement of a 8
license may obtain a temporary license to expire on the date of his or her 9
hearing before the board. 10
(6) If a person simultaneously holds an electrical inspector 11
license and a license as a master electrician or a journeyman electrician, 12
the person, when renewing his or her master electrician or journeyman 13
electrician license, shall be exempt from the: 14
(A) Renewal fee under this section; and 15
(B) Continuing education requirements for master 16
electricians and journeyman electricians under § 17 -28-311. 17
(c) The registration fee for an electrical apprentice shall be ten 18
dollars ($10.00) annually. Apprentice registration certificates shall expire 19
on the last day of the month, one (1) year following the date of original 20
registration. 21
(d)(1) The board may issue a temporary license as a master electrician 22
or journeyman electrician that is valid for no more than six (6) months and 23
renewable one (1) time only for industry projects as defined in this chapter, 24
upon submission by the applicant of the following: 25
(A) A temporary license fee in the amount established by 26
subsection (a) of this section; 27
(B) A completed application on a form furnished and 28
approved by the board; and 29
(C) Evidence that the applicant: 30
(i) Holds a current license of the same 31
classification issued by another state; or 32
(ii) Meets the experience qualifications required 33
under rules promulgated by the board for a temporary master electrician or a 34
temporary journeyman electrician. 35
(2) The Director of the Division of Occupational and 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
5 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
Professional Licensing Boards and Commissions Department of Labor and 1
Licensing may renew a temporary license as a master electrician or journeyman 2
electrician issued by the board for more than one (1) additional period of 3
six (6) months, if: 4
(A) The renewal is for work to be performed on a specific 5
industry project as defined in this chapter; 6
(B) The director department determines that the additional 7
renewal is necessary because: 8
(i) Actual construction will exceed one (1) year; 9
and 10
(ii) An insufficient number of licensed electricians 11
is available to perform the necessary work; 12
(C) The temporary license is restricted to the industry 13
project for which it is issued; and 14
(D) A temporary license fee in the amount established in 15
subsection (a) of this section is paid. 16
(3)(A) The board may issue and renew a temporary license as a 17
master electrician or journeyman electrician for regularly scheduled or 18
emergency maintenance work or shutdowns of not longer than six (6) weeks on 19
industry projects as defined in this chapter. 20
(B) An applicant for a new or renewed temporary license 21
under subdivision (d)(3)(A) of this section shall submit the same items as 22
are required in subdivision (d)(1) of this section. 23
(e) A specialist sign electrician under § 17 -28-101 shall qualify for 24
an endorsement on his or her license authorizing the licensee to maintain and 25
repair parking lot lights upon successfully passing a separate examination as 26
approved by the board. 27
28
SECTION 5. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-302 is repealed. 29
17-28-302. Electrical contractor license. 30
(a) Any person, member, or employee of a firm, partnership, or 31
corporation desiring to engage in the business of electrical contractor may 32
apply for and be issued a license upon satisfying the Board of Electrical 33
Examiners of the State of Arkansas that he or she or it is either a master 34
electrician or employs a master electrician as its superintendent or manager 35
and shall pay a license fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100) per 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
6 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
year. 1
(b) Any electrical contractor having met the requirements of this 2
chapter may work in any municipality in the state without further 3
examinations after first showing evidence of state license as described in 4
this chapter and paying such fees as required by the municipality in which 5
the work is to be performed. 6
7
SECTION 6. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-308 is amended to read as follows: 8
17-28-308. Electrical apprentices. 9
(a) Upon proper application and payment of the fee, the Board of 10
Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas shall register as an electrical 11
apprentice and issue a certificate of registration to any person who 12
furnishes satisfactory proof that the applicant is enrolled in a school or 13
training course for electrical apprentices certified by the United States 14
Office of Apprenticeship. 15
(b) The board shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary or 16
appropriate to supervise and enforce apprenticeship supervision ratios 17
established by the board by rule. 18
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, 19
an apprentice who has successfully completed a certified school or training 20
program and has been released for testing may continue to renew his or her 21
apprentice registration card, if otherwise qualified, without enrolling in a 22
school or training program shall test within one (1) year of release by the 23
Office of Skills Development . 24
(d) Application for an initial certificate of registration and renewal 25
of an electrical apprentice shall be the responsibility of the school or 26
training course for electrical apprentices certified by the United States 27
Office of Apprenticeship in which the electrical apprentice is enrolled. 28
(e) The school or training course for electrical apprentices certified 29
by the United States Office of Apprenticeship in which the electrical 30
apprentice is enrolled shall be responsible for documenting on -the-job 31
training hours of apprentice electricians and submitting completion of hours 32
to the board when releasing an apprentice electrician for testing. 33
34
SECTION 7. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-309 is amended to read as follows: 35
17-28-309. Penalties. 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
7 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(a) The Director of the Division of Occupational and Professional 1
Licensing Boards and Commissions Secretary of the Department of Labor and 2
Licensing or his or her designee is authorized to petition any court of 3
competent jurisdiction to enjoin or restrain any person who performs 4
electrical work without a license or who otherwise violates the provisions of 5
this chapter. 6
(b)(1) A civil penalty may be assessed against any person, firm, or 7
corporation by the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing Boards 8
and Commissions Department of Labor and Licensing and subject to appeal and 9
hearing before the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State of Arkansas 10
according to the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25 -15-201 et seq., 11
if it is determined that a person, firm, or corporation has violated any: 12
(A) Provision of this chapter; 13
(B) Provision of the Arkansas Electrical Code Authority 14
Act, § 20-31-101 et seq.; 15
(C) Rule or order issued or promulgated by the board; or 16
(D) Condition of a license, certificate, or registration 17
issued by the board.; or 18
(E) Licensure eligibility concerning criminal records 19
under § 17-3-102. 20
(2) For each violation, the penalty shall not exceed the 21
following: one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day. 22
(A) Two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a first offense; 23
(B) Seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) for a second 24
offense; or 25
(C) One thousand dollars ($1,000) for a third offense. 26
(3) Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation 27
for purposes of penalty assessment. 28
(4)(A) Assessment of a civil penalty by the board shall be made 29
no later than two (2) years after the date of the occurrence of the 30
violation. 31
(B) No civil penalty may be assessed until the person 32
charged with the violation has been given the opportunity for a hearing on 33
the violation. 34
(5) If any person, firm, or corporation against whom a civil 35
penalty has been imposed fails to pay the penalty within sixty (60) days of 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
8 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
the board’s decision, the director secretary or his or her designee may file 1
an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to collect the civil penalty 2
without paying costs or giving bond for costs. 3
(6) Any penalties collected under this section shall be 4
deposited as special revenues into the State Treasury to the credit of the 5
Department of Labor and Licensing Special Fund, there to be used by the 6
Department of Labor and Licensing in carrying out the functions, powers, and 7
duties of this chapter. 8
9
SECTION 8. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-310 is repealed. 10
17-28-310. Grandfather clause. 11
(a) Applicants for a license under this chapter shall be exempt from 12
the examination requirement of § 17 -28-203, provided that the applicant: 13
(1) Is qualified by experience requirements to take the 14
examination for a particular license classification under the provisions of 15
this chapter and the rules of the Board of Electrical Examiners of the State 16
of Arkansas; 17
(2) Has not had a municipal electrician's license or a state 18
electrician's license of any classification revoked or suspended for cause; 19
(3) Submits the appropriate fee; and 20
(4) Applies for a license before July 1, 1998. 21
(b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, an applicant for a 22
license under this section shall be exempt from the journeyman electrician 23
examination requirement of § 17 -28-203 if he or she has completed electrical 24
apprenticeship training and education under a bona fide apprenticeship 25
program registered with the United States Office of Apprenticeship and he or 26
she meets the requirements of subdivisions (a)(2) -(4) of this section. 27
(c) An applicant for a specialist sign electrician license under this 28
chapter shall be exempt from the examination requirement of § 17 -28-203 if 29
the applicant: 30
(1) Is qualified by experience requirements to take the 31
examination for a particular license classification under this chapter and 32
the rules of the board; 33
(2) Has not had a municipal electrician's license or a state 34
electrician's license of any classification revoked or suspended for cause; 35
(3) Submits the appropriate fee; and 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
9 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(4) Applies for the specialist sign electrician license before 1
September 1, 2009. 2
3
SECTION 9. Arkansas Code § 17 -28-311(a), concerning continuing 4
education requirements for electrician licensees, is amended to read as 5
follows: 6
(a) A journeyman electrician licensee , residential journeyman 7
electrician licensee, or master electrician licensee , or residential master 8
electrician licensee shall complete at least eight (8) hours of continuing 9
education for each the current National Electrical Code cycle in the first 10
year of each new code cycle before renewing his or her license. 11
12
SECTION 10. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-101(8), concerning definitions 13
pertaining to HVACR workers, is amended to read as follows: 14
(8) “HVACR gas fitting work" means gas fitting work for the purpose of 15
supplying an HVACR system and shall be limited to installing six feet (6′) 16
seventy-five feet (75’) or less final of gas piping connection to a heating 17
unit from an existing, accessible manual safety shutoff gas cock, installing 18
flue gas vents and combustion air for the HVACR system; 19
20
SECTION 11. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-101(16)(A), concerning definitions 21
pertaining to HVACR workers, is amended to read as follows: 22
(A) Does not hold a Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, or 23
Class E HVACR license; 24
25
SECTION 12. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-103(b), concerning HVACR electrical 26
work, is amended to read as follows: 27
(b) Any individual licensed or registered to perform HVACR work may 28
perform electrical connections to heating and air conditioning units without 29
obtaining any other license to perform the work, so long as the connection is 30
made to a disconnecting means suitable in capacity for the equipment to be 31
served and is provided by others within ten feet (10′) seventy-five feet (75’) 32
of the unit. 33
34
SECTION 13. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-105(a)(1)(A)(ii), concerning 35
penalties, is amended to read as follows: 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
10 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(ii) The penalty shall not exceed two hundred fifty 1
dollars ($250) one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each violation per day, and 2
each day of a continuing violation may be deemed a separate violation for 3
purposes of penalty assessments. 4
5
SECTION 14. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-202(7), concerning the powers and 6
duties of the HVACR Licensing Board, is amended to read as follows: 7
(7) Review applications for examination for a Class A, Class B, 8
Class C, Class D, Class E, and Class L license; 9
10
SECTION 15. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-202(9), concerning the powers and 11
duties of the HVACR Licensing Board, is amended to read as follows: 12
(9) Establish by board rule a maximum of four (4) eight (8) 13
hours per year International Mechanical Code cycle of continuing education if 14
the board determines that a specific class of license requires continuing 15
education; 16
17
SECTION 16. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-204 is amended to read as follows: 18
17-33-204. Fees. 19
(a)(1) The HVACR Licensing Board shall adopt a fee schedule by rule 20
and regulation. The fee schedule may include, but is not limited to: 21
(A) Testing fees; 22
(B) License fees; 23
(C) Civil penalty fees; 24
(D) Registration fees; 25
(E) Inspection fees; 26
(F) Fees for code books Renewal fees; 27
(G) Late renewal fees; and 28
(H) Late penalty fees. 29
(2) The board may provide for a reduction in the fees of a 30
person or partnership who holds one (1) or more licenses determined by the 31
board to be HVACR-related and for which the board determines a reduction in 32
fees should be allowed. 33
(b) Until a fee schedule is established by the board, the licensure 34
and registration fees shall be as follows: 35
Class A License ............. $200.00 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
11 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
Class B License ............. 150.00 1
Class C License ............. 100.00 2
Class D License ............. 150.00 3
Class E License ............. 150.00 4
Class L License ............. No Charge 5
Registration Fee ............. 25.00. 6
(c) The fees established by the board for licensure and registration 7
shall not exceed the amounts provided for in subsection (b) of this section. 8
9
SECTION 17. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-303 is amended to read as follows: 10
17-33-303. Classes of licenses. 11
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every individual who 12
designs, installs, constructs, maintains, services, repairs, alters, or 13
modifies any HVACR system or any portion of an HVACR system in the State of 14
Arkansas shall obtain one (1) of the following classes of license and pay the 15
fees prescribed by the HVACR Licensing Board; 16
(1) Class A — Entitles the licensee to perform HVACR work 17
without limitation to BTUH or horsepower capacities; 18
(2) Class B — Entitles the licensee to perform HVACR work on 19
air conditioning systems that develop a total of not more than fifteen (15) 20
twenty-five (25) tons of cooling capacity per unit or one million (1,000,000) 21
BTUH heating input per unit and refrigeration systems of fifteen horsepower 22
(15 h.p.) or less per unit; 23
(3) Class C — Entitles the licensee who is in the business of 24
servicing and repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or 25
refrigeration equipment for the public to service, repair, or replace 26
components of HVACR equipment and to perform HVACR work on air conditioning 27
systems that develop a total of not more than fifteen (15) tons of cooling 28
capacity per unit or one million (1,000,000) BTUH heating input per unit and 29
refrigeration systems of fifteen horsepower (15 h.p.) or less per unit. A 30
Class C license holder shall not install any original HVACR equipment or 31
replace any existing HVACR equipment; 32
(4)(3) Class D — Entitles the licensee to perform sheet metal 33
work as it relates to ductwork for HVACR systems without regard to or 34
limitation of horsepower of the system to which the duct connects. The 35
licensee in this category is prohibited from the sale, installation, and 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
12 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
service of HVACR equipment and systems; 1
(5)(4) Class E — Entitles the licensee to perform refrigeration 2
work as defined in § 17-33-101 without regard to or limitation of horsepower. 3
The licensee in this category is prohibited from the sale, installation, and 4
service of heating and air conditioning equipment used for the treatment of 5
air for human comfort requirements; and 6
(6)(5) Class L — Entitles a licensee to apply for and obtain a 7
restricted lifetime license without having to pay a license fee in any 8
specific category of license as defined in this chapter. The applicant must 9
be at least sixty-five (65) years of age and hold a current license in good 10
standing with the board. The board shall promulgate rules to define the 11
specific requirements of the lifetime license. 12
(b) The board shall promulgate rules necessary to carry out the 13
provisions of this section. 14
(c)(1) An individual may perform HVACR work under a Class A, Class B, 15
Class C, Class D, or Class E HVACR license holder by registering with the 16
Department of Labor and Licensing. 17
(2) The registrant shall pay an annual registration fee as 18
required by the board. Annual registration, including without limitation 19
payment of the fee as required by the board, for the registrant shall be the 20
responsibility of the HVACR license holder. 21
(3) All licensees are responsible for ensuring that all HVACR 22
employees hold a current HVACR registration or HVACR license. 23
24
SECTION 18. Arkansas Code § 17 -33-307 is amended to read as follows: 25
17-33-307. Grounds for suspension or revocation. 26
The HVACR Licensing Board, on its own motion, may make investigations 27
and conduct hearings and, on its own motion or upon complaint in writing 28
signed and verified by the complainant, suspend or revoke any license or 29
registration if it finds that the holder of the license or registrant has: 30
(1) Made a material misstatement in the application for license 31
or registration or renewal thereof; 32
(2) Demonstrated incompetency to act as a license holder or 33
registrant according to rules and standards promulgated by the board; or 34
(3) Violated any provisions of this chapter or any rule or order 35
prescribed by the board.; or 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
13 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(4) Pled guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of 1
any offense listed under § 17 -3-102. 2
3
SECTION 19. Arkansas Code § 17 -55-101(c)(2)(C), concerning the 4
licensure of electrical inspectors, is amended to read as follows: 5
(C)(i) Proof of completion of at least sixteen (16) eight 6
(8) hours of continuing education. 7
(ii) The board shall promulgate rules to set 8
standards for continuing education for licensees under subdivision 9
(c)(2)(C)(i) of this section. The rules shall include without limitation 10
continuing education on the statewide standards for the construction, 11
installation, and maintenance of electrical facilities and the performance of 12
electrical work under § 20-31-104. 13
(iii) The Division of Occupational and Professional 14
Licensing Boards and Commissions Department of Labor and Licensing may 15
conduct or sponsor continuing education classes for electrical inspectors. 16
17
SECTION 20. Arkansas Code § 17 -55-101(d)(2), concerning the licensure 18
of electrical inspectors, is amended to read as follows: 19
(2)(A) A civil penalty may be assessed against an electrical 20
inspector by the Division of Occupational and Professional 21
Licensing Boards and Commissions Department of Labor and Licensing and 22
subject to appeal and hearing before the board according to the Arkansas 23
Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq., if it is determined that 24
the electrical inspector has violated a: 25
(i) Provision of this chapter; 26
(ii) Rule or order issued or promulgated by 27
the board; or 28
(iii) Condition of a license issued by the board, 29
including without limitation a licensee having a criminal record as 30
prohibited under § 17 -3-102. 31
(B) For each violation, the civil penalty shall not exceed 32
the following: one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day. 33
(i) Two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a first 34
offense; 35
(ii) Seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) for a second 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
14 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
offense; or 1
(iii) One thousand dollars ($1,000) for a third 2
offense. 3
(C) Each day of a continuing violation is a separate 4
violation for purposes of penalty assessment. 5
(D)(i) Assessment of a civil penalty by the board shall be 6
made no later than two (2) years after the date of the occurrence of the 7
violation. 8
(ii) A civil penalty shall not be assessed until the 9
person charged with the violation has been given the opportunity for a 10
hearing on the violation. 11
(E) If an electrical inspector against whom a civil 12
penalty has been imposed fails to pay the penalty within sixty (60) days of 13
the board's decision, the Director of the Division of Occupational and 14
Professional Licensing Boards and Commissions Secretary of the Department of 15
Labor and Licensing or his or her designee may file an action in a court of 16
competent jurisdiction to collect the civil penalty without paying costs or 17
giving bond for costs. 18
(F) Any penalties collected under this section shall be 19
deposited as special revenues into the State Treasury to the credit of the 20
Department of Labor and Licensing Special Fund, there to be used by the 21
Department of Labor and Licensing department in carrying out the functions, 22
powers, and duties of this chapter. 23
24
SECTION 21. Arkansas Code § 17 -55-103 is repealed. 25
17-55-103. Persons employed as electrical inspectors as of August 16, 26
2013. 27
(a) A person employed as an electrical inspector as of August 16, 28
2013, shall be issued a temporary electrical inspector license upon 29
submission of the following information to the Board of Electrical Examiners 30
of the State of Arkansas: 31
(1) Proof of employment with the state or a political 32
subdivision of the state as an electrical inspector in the State of Arkansas; 33
(2) Verification of work experience as required by rule of the 34
board; and 35
(3) Payment of a license fee as required by rule of the board. 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
15 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(b)(1) A temporary license issued under this section shall expire on 1
January 1, 2014. 2
(2) A recipient of a temporary license shall be eligible to 3
apply for an electrical inspector license under this chapter. 4
5
SECTION 22. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-101(3), concerning definitions 6
pertaining to boiler safety, is amended to read as follows: 7
(3) “Internal” and “external” inspection means a thorough and 8
proper inspection as provided for in the rules by the Boiler Inspection 9
Division Section; 10
11
SECTION 23. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-103 is amended to read as follows: 12
20-23-103. Enforcement. 13
(a) The criminal penalties provided by this chapter shall be enforced 14
by the prosecuting attorney of each judicial district. The administrative 15
penalties provided by this chapter shall be imposed pursuant to rules of the 16
Director of the Division of Labor Secretary of the Department of Labor and 17
Licensing or his or her designee . 18
(b) The director secretary or his or her designee may collect an 19
administrative penalty imposed pursuant to this chapter in a civil action in 20
a court of competent jurisdiction, and he or she shall not be required to pay 21
costs or to enter a bond for payment of costs. 22
23
SECTION 24. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-104 is amended to read as follows: 24
20-23-104. Periodic or regular attendance. 25
(a) All boilers subject to the provisions of this chapter shall be 26
continuously monitored by mechanical and electronic devices approved by the 27
Director of the Division of Labor Secretary of the Department of Labor and 28
Licensing or his or her designee . When a plant is in operation or when any 29
public building is occupied, the boilers shall be under regular attendance by 30
a boiler operator unless otherwise exempt. 31
(b) Boilers that are manually operated shall be under constant 32
attendance whenever they are in use for any purpose. 33
(c) All steam boilers fifty horsepower (50 hp) and over, as rated by 34
the manufacturer in any location, and steam boilers used in hospitals, 35
hotels, schools, theatres, and office buildings, but not limited to these 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
16 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
places, shall be under regular attendance by a licensed operator who holds a 1
certificate of competency issued by the Boiler Inspection Division Section. 2
3
SECTION 25. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-105 is amended to read as follows: 4
20-23-105. Disposition of funds. 5
(a) All money received under this chapter shall be paid to the 6
Treasurer of State, who shall place this money to the credit of the 7
Department of Labor and Licensing Special Fund, there to be used by the 8
Department of Labor and Licensing in carrying out the functions, powers, and 9
duties as set out in this chapter and to defray the costs of the maintenance, 10
operation, and improvements required by the department in carrying out the 11
functions, powers, and duties otherwise imposed by law on the department or 12
the Director of the Division of Labor Secretary of the Department of Labor 13
and Licensing or his or her designee . 14
(b) The director may issue vouchers for salaries and expenses of the 15
Boiler Inspection Division when proper appropriation has been made for the 16
expenditures. 17
18
SECTION 26. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-202 is amended to read as follows: 19
20-23-202. Chief inspector, deputy inspector, etc. 20
(a)(1) When the office of Chief Inspector of the Boiler Inspection 21
Division Section becomes vacant, the Director of the Division of Labor 22
Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing or his or her designee 23
shall employ a citizen of the State of Arkansas to be chief inspector. 24
(2) The chief inspector shall have at the time of employment not 25
less than ten (10) five (5) years' experience in the construction, 26
maintenance, installation, and repair or inspection of high pressure boilers 27
and unfired pressure vessels. 28
(b)(1)(A) The director secretary or his or her designee is authorized 29
and empowered to employ a technical assistant and deputy inspectors of 30
boilers. 31
(B) Inspectors of steam boilers and unfired pressure 32
vessels shall have had at the time of employment not less than five (5) three 33
(3) years' experience in the construction, maintenance, installation, and 34
repair of high pressure boilers and unfired pressure vessels or possess a 35
currently valid commission from the National Board of Boiler and Pressure 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
17 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
Vessel Inspectors. 1
(C)(i) Inspectors of steam boilers and unfired pressure 2
vessels also shall have passed a written examination. 3
(ii) The examination shall conform to standards not 4
exceeding those prescribed by the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code of the 5
American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 6
(iii) The examination shall test the inspector's 7
knowledge of the construction, installation, maintenance, and repair of 8
boilers and their appurtenances. 9
(2) The director secretary or his or her designee is also 10
empowered to employ clerical and administrative employees, as well as other 11
inspectors, as necessary to perform the work of the Boiler Inspection 12
Division Section. 13
(3) The salaries are to be approved by the General Assembly. 14
(c) The salaries of the employees of the Boiler Inspection Division 15
Section, together with the necessary expenses of the Boiler Inspection 16
Division Section, shall be paid out of the fees for which provision is made 17
in this chapter. 18
19
SECTION 27. The introductory language of Arkansas Code § 20 -23-203(a), 20
concerning the duties of the Chief Inspector of the Boiler Inspection 21
Division, is amended to read as follows: 22
(a) The Chief Inspector of the Boiler Inspection Division Section, 23
either personally or by a deputy inspector, shall carefully: 24
25
SECTION 28. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-203(c), concerning the duties of the 26
Chief Inspector of the Boiler Inspection Division, is amended to read as 27
follows: 28
(c)(1) The chief inspector shall enforce the laws of the state 29
governing the use of boilers and unfired pressure vessels. He or she shall 30
examine into and report to Director of the Division of Labor the Secretary of 31
the Department of Labor and Licensing or his or her designee the causes of 32
boiler explosions which occur within the state. 33
(2) He or she shall keep in his or her office a complete and 34
accurate record of the names of all owners or operators of boilers inspected 35
by the Boiler Inspection Division Section, together with the location, make, 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
18 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
type, dimensions, age, condition, pressure allowed upon, and date of the last 1
inspection of all boilers and shall make an annual report thereon to the 2
director secretary or his or her designee . 3
4
SECTION 29. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-301 is amended to read as follows: 5
20-23-301. Certificate of inspection required – Application of rules 6
and standards – Penalties. 7
(a)(1) No owner or user of a boiler or pressure vessel or engineer or 8
fireman in charge of a boiler or pressure vessel shall operate or allow the 9
boiler or pressure vessel to be operated without a certificate of inspection 10
issued by the Director of the Division of Labor Secretary of the Department 11
of Labor and Licensing or his or her designee or shall allow a greater 12
pressure in the boiler or pressure vessel than is allowed by the certificate 13
of inspection. 14
(2)(A) All boilers and pressure vessels installed or in 15
operation in this state shall conform to those rules and standards that shall 16
from time to time be adopted by the Boiler Inspection Division Section with 17
the approval of the director secretary or his or her designee . 18
(B) The rules and standards shall not exceed those set out 19
in the several sections of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code of the 20
American Society of Mechanical Engineers and shall have the force of law 21
immediately upon their approval by the director secretary or his or her 22
designee. 23
(3) No person shall operate or cause to be operated any boiler 24
or unfired pressure vessel on which the certificate of inspection has been 25
suspended or the operation of which has been forbidden by an inspector as 26
provided in §§ 20-23-203, 20-23-306, 20-23-310, 20-23-401, and 20-23-402. 27
(4) All pressure piping installed in this state shall conform to 28
those rules and standards that shall from time to time be adopted by the 29
Boiler Inspection Division Section with the approval of the director 30
secretary or his or her designee . The rules and standards shall not exceed 31
those set out in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Code for 32
Pressure Piping, Power Piping Code, B31.1. 33
(b) Any person violating this section shall be subject to an 34
administrative fine of not less than twenty -five dollars ($25.00) nor more 35
than one thousand dollars ($1,000). 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
19 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
1
SECTION 30. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-302 is amended to read as follows: 2
20-23-302. Report by manufacturer, owner, and user. 3
(a) Every manufacturer, owner, or user of a boiler or unfired pressure 4
vessel in use or to be used in any part of the state and subject to 5
inspection by the Boiler Inspection Division Section, as provided by this 6
chapter, shall report to the division Boiler Inspection Section the location 7
of the boiler or unfired pressure vessel at such times and in such manner and 8
form as may be determined by the rules of the division Boiler Inspection 9
Section. 10
(b) Any owner, user, or agent of the owner of any boiler or unfired 11
pressure vessel subject to inspection by the division Boiler Inspection 12
Section, as provided in this chapter, who shall fail to report its location 13
to the division Boiler Inspection Section shall be subject to an 14
administrative fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100). 15
16
SECTION 31. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-304 is amended to read as follows: 17
20-23-304. Failure to make ready for inspection. 18
Any owner, user, or agent of the owner of any boiler subject to 19
inspection by the Boiler Inspection Division Section who shall fail to have a 20
boiler ready for inspection after due notice as provided in this chapter 21
shall pay to the division Boiler Inspection Section the inspection fee 22
provided by this subchapter and shall be subject to an administrative fine of 23
any sum not less than ten dollars ($10.00). 24
25
SECTION 32. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-305 is amended to read as follows: 26
20-23-305. Special inspection. 27
(a) If at any time the owner, user, or agent of the owner of any 28
boiler within the state shall desire a special inspection of any boiler, it 29
shall be made by the Boiler Inspection Division Section after due request 30
thereof. 31
(b) The inspector making the inspection shall collect a fee of one 32
hundred dollars ($100) for each boiler together with his or her expenses from 33
Little Rock to the place of inspection and return . 34
35
SECTION 33. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-306 is amended to read as follows: 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
20 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
20-23-306. Issuance. 1
(a)(1) Upon receipt by the Boiler Inspection Division Section of an 2
annual or biennial certificate report of inspection from a state inspector or 3
from an inspector employed by an insurance company that a boiler or pressure 4
vessel is in safe working condition with the required fittings, valves, and 5
appliances properly installed and set, the Director of the Division of Labor 6
Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing or his or her designee 7
shall issue to the owner of the boiler or pressure vessel a certificate of 8
inspection. 9
(2) The certificate of inspection shall be issued upon payment 10
of a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) in cases of all boilers other than 11
unfired pressure vessels and a fee of thirty dollars ($30.00) in cases of 12
unfired pressure vessels. 13
(3) The certificate of inspection shall state the maximum 14
pressure at which the boiler or pressure vessel may be operated as may be 15
determined by the rules adopted by the Boiler Inspection Division Section, as 16
provided in this chapter. 17
(b) Upon receipt of a certificate of inspection under subsection (a) 18
of this section, unless the certificate of inspection is withdrawn or 19
suspended, the owner or user may operate boilers: 20
(1) Other than unfired pressure vessels described in the 21
certificate for one (1) year from the date of annual inspection plus any 22
extension granted under § 20-23-203(a) of the time for the next annual 23
inspection; and 24
(2) That are unfired pressure vessels for two (2) years from the 25
date of biennial inspection. 26
(c) Any owner or operator of a boiler or pressure vessel who is 27
dissatisfied with the result of an inspection made by an inspector employed 28
by an insurance company may appeal to the Chief Inspector of the Boiler 29
Inspection Division Section, who shall cause a special investigation to be 30
conducted and, upon the report of the inspection, shall render his or her 31
decision, the decision to be final. 32
33
SECTION 34. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-307 is amended to read as follows: 34
20-23-307. New boilers and unfired pressure vessels – Permit required. 35
(a) Every manufacturer, contractor, jobber, owner, or user of a boiler 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
21 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
or unfired pressure vessel or pressure piping system shall obtain a permit 1
from the Boiler Inspection Division Section before any boiler or unfired 2
pressure vessel or pressure piping system may be installed or moved and 3
installed in the State of Arkansas. 4
(b) When new boilers or unfired pressure vessels are to be installed, 5
the manufacturer's data report for each boiler and unfired pressure vessel 6
shall be submitted with the application for installation. 7
(c) No boiler or unfired pressure vessel or pressure piping may be 8
installed without approval from the division Boiler Inspection Section . 9
10
SECTION 35. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-308 is amended to read as follows: 11
20-23-308. New boilers and unfired pressure vessels – Fees. 12
(a) The following fees shall be paid before permits may be issued for 13
the installation of any boiler or unfired pressure vessel: 14
(1) Boilers: 15
(A) Up to 25 200 horsepower, incl. $15.00 $25.00 16
(B) Over 25 horsepower to 50 horsepower, incl. 20.00 17
(C) Over 50 horsepower to 100 horsepower, incl. 25.00 18
(D) Over 100 horsepower to 200 horsepower, incl. 30.00 19
(E) Over 200 horsepower to 300 horsepower, incl. 50.00 20
(F) Over 300 horsepower to 400 horsepower, incl. 60.00 21
(G) Over 400 horsepower to 500 horsepower, incl. 70.00 22
(H) Over 500 200 horsepower $95.00 $45.00 23
(2) Unfired pressure vessels, including hot water storage 24
containers: $30.00 25
(A) 500 gallons capacity or less $15.00 26
(B) 501 gallons capacity to 1,000 gallons capacity 20.00 27
(C) 1,001 gallons capacity to 5,000 gallons capacity 40.00 28
(D) 5,001 gallons capacity and over 50.00 29
(b) The fee paid for the issuance of a permit for the installation of 30
pressure piping shall be one hundred dollars ($100). 31
32
SECTION 36. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-310 is amended to read as follows: 33
20-23-310. Suspension. 34
(a)(1) The Chief Inspector of the Boiler Inspection Division Section 35
or his or her authorized representatives representative may at any time 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
22 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
suspend an inspection certificate when in their his or her opinion the boiler 1
or unfired pressure vessel for which it was issued cannot be operated without 2
menace to the public safety or when the boiler or unfired pressure vessel is 3
found not to comply with the rules provided in this subchapter. 4
(2) Any insurance company inspector or inspection service 5
provider who has been issued an Arkansas commission and is inspecting boilers 6
or pressure vessels in this state shall have corresponding powers with 7
respect to operating certificates for boilers or pressure vessels insured by 8
the company employing him or her. 9
(3) The suspension of an operating certificate shall continue in 10
effect until the boiler or pressure vessel shall have been made to conform to 11
the rules of the Boiler Inspection Division Section and until the operating 12
certificate shall have been reinstated. 13
(b) Any inspector of the division Boiler Inspection Section or any 14
commissioned inspector of any insurance company or inspection service 15
provider who after inspection of a boiler or unfired pressure vessel shall 16
find it unsafe for operation shall suspend its certificate of inspection and 17
forbid its further use until it shall have been made to conform to the 18
standards adopted by the division Boiler Inspection Section and until its 19
certificate of inspection shall have been reinstated by an authorized 20
inspector. 21
22
SECTION 37. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-311 is amended to read as follows: 23
20-23-311. Inspection fees generally. 24
(a) Within thirty (30) days from the date of inspection, there shall 25
be paid for the annual inspection of each boiler by the Boiler Inspection 26
Division Section made according to the provisions of this chapter, the sum as 27
follows: 28
(1) Boilers: $25.00; and 29
(A) Up to and including 15 horsepower, incl. $10.00 30
(B) Over 15 horsepower to 50 horsepower, incl. 13.00 31
(C) Over 50 horsepower to 100 horsepower, incl. 18.00 32
(D) Over 100 horsepower to 150 horsepower, incl. 20.00 33
(E) Over 150 horsepower to 250 horsepower, incl. 23.00 34
(F) Over 250 horsepower to 500 horsepower, incl. 35.00 35
(G) Over 500 horsepower 50.00 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
23 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(2) Shop inspections: per day, four hundred forty dollars 1
($440); per half day, two hundred and twenty dollars ($220); plus expenses, 2
including mileage not to exceed the rate authorized by the General Assembly 3
to employees of state agencies who furnish their own transportation, and 4
meals and lodging in accordance with that approved by the General Assembly as 5
a daily allowance; and 6
(3) Unfired pressure vessels : $15.00 7
(A) 150 gallons or less $9.00 8
(B) 151 gallons to 500 gallons 10.00 9
(C) 501 gallons to 1,000 gallons 11.00 10
(D) 1,001 gallons to 2,000 gallons 12.00 11
(E) 2,001 gallons to 3,000 gallons 13.00 12
(F) 3,001 gallons to 5,000 gallons 14.00 13
(G) 5,001 gallons and over 18.00 14
(b) The rates in subsection (a) of this section may be reduced by the 15
Director of the Division of Labor Secretary of the Department of Labor and 16
Licensing or his or her designee at the beginning of any fiscal year if the 17
rates produce a greater amount of revenue than is required to defray the cost 18
of operation of the Boiler Inspection Division Section. 19
(c) All inspection fees shall be paid by the owner, user, or agent of 20
the owner, and the inspector may receive the fee and issue his or her receipt 21
therefor. 22
(d) If the owner, user, or agent of the owner shall fail to pay any 23
inspection fee under this section within thirty (30) days, a civil money 24
penalty equal to the amount of the unpaid fee shall attach to the outstanding 25
amount of the fee, and the director secretary or his or her designee shall be 26
empowered to collect this penalty in addition to the amount of the fee. 27
28
SECTION 38. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-312 is amended to read as follows: 29
20-23-312. Inspection fees – Collection. 30
(a)(1) In addition to other remedies provided for by this chapter, if 31
after the making of any inspection or accrual of any charge or penalty 32
required or authorized by this chapter, the fee, penalty, or charge is not 33
paid within thirty (30) days after demand upon whoever is liable therefor, 34
the Director of the Division of Labor Secretary of the Department of Labor 35
and Licensing or his or her designee may employ an attorney, who is empowered 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
24 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
without payment of costs or giving of bond for costs to institute suit in the 1
name of the State of Arkansas in any court of competent jurisdiction to 2
collect the fees, penalties, costs, and charges. 3
(2)(A) The court where suit is brought pursuant to subdivision 4
(a)(1) of this section for collection of fees, penalties, and charges shall, 5
without limitation, based on the actual amount of the judgment award an 6
attorney's fee equal to the actual cost to the Division of Labor Department 7
of Labor and Licensing or the Boiler Inspection Division Section for the 8
regular hourly rate of pay of the attorney multiplied by the actual hours, 9
including, but not limited to, travel time, litigation, and case review. 10
(B) Furthermore, the court shall award, without 11
limitation, based on the actual amount of the judgment an amount equal to all 12
costs incurred by the Division of Labor department or the Boiler Inspection 13
Division Section, including, but not limited to, travel costs, witness fees, 14
sheriff's service fees, or costs incurred pursuant to the collection of any 15
judgment obtained by the Division of Labor department or the Boiler 16
Inspection Division Section. 17
(b)(1) The plaintiff in the suits is given a lien upon the boiler and 18
all parts, connections, and attachments thereto, whether attached to the land 19
or not, to accrue the payment of the inspection fees for making the 20
inspection. 21
(2) The lien shall attach to the property at the time of making 22
the inspection and shall continue until all inspection fees are paid. 23
(3) The lien, when it so attaches, shall be held to be prior, 24
paramount, and superior to the liens, claims, and demands of all persons 25
whomsoever, whether owners, agents, mortgagees, trustees, and beneficiaries 26
under trusts or owners whether prior in time or not. 27
28
SECTION 39. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-314 is amended to read as follows: 29
20-23-314. Pressure piping inspections. 30
(a) The installation of pressure piping shall be periodically 31
inspected during the course of the installation by an inspector commissioned 32
pursuant to the provisions of § 20-23-401 in the manner and with the 33
frequency prescribed by the rules of the Boiler Inspection Division Section. 34
(b)(1) Upon completion of the installation of any pressure piping, a 35
final inspection shall be made, and the inspector shall complete a final 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
25 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
inspection report on a form approved by the Director of the Division of Labor 1
Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing or his or her designee . 2
(2) A copy of the final inspection report shall be filed with 3
the Boiler Inspection Division Section within thirty (30) days of completion 4
of the installation. 5
(c) If the report required by subsection (b) of this section is not 6
filed within thirty (30) days after completion of the installation, the 7
Boiler Inspection Division Section shall designate an inspector in its employ 8
to make the inspection and report required by subsection (b) of this section. 9
(d) The inspections and reports required by subsections (a) and (b) of 10
this section may be made by an inspector in the employ of the Boiler 11
Inspection Division Section. 12
(e) For each inspection made by an inspector employed by the Boiler 13
Inspection Division Section and required by subsection (a), subsection (b), 14
or subsection (c) of this section, the holder of the installation permit 15
shall pay the Boiler Inspection Division Section an inspection fee in the 16
amount of four hundred forty dollars ($440) per day or two hundred twenty 17
dollars ($220) per half -day, plus expenses and mileage at the rates 18
authorized for employees of the Division of Labor who furnish their own 19
transportation. 20
(f) The inspections required by this section and the installation 21
permit required for pressure piping by § 20-23-307 shall apply only to new 22
installations and shall not be construed as requiring an inspection or an 23
installation permit for maintenance, repair, or renovation of existing 24
facilities. 25
26
SECTION 40. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-401(a), concerning certificates of 27
competency and commissions of inspectors of the Boiler Inspection Division, 28
is amended to read as follows: 29
(a) Certificates of competency and commissions as inspectors of 30
boilers shall be issued by the Boiler Inspection Division Section to persons 31
in the employ of any company authorized to insure boilers against explosions 32
in this state or by a qualified inspection service provider . 33
34
SECTION 41. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-401(f)(1), concerning commissions 35
issued relating to boiler safety, is amended to read as follows: 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
26 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(f)(1) Any commission issued under this subchapter shall be 1
immediately returned to the division Boiler Inspection Section when the 2
inspector to whom it has been issued shall cease to be employed by the 3
insurance company or inspection service provider employing him or her at the 4
time the commission was issued. 5
6
SECTION 42. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-402 is amended to read as follows: 7
20-23-402. Inspectors employed by insurance companies or private 8
inspection service providers . 9
(a) Boiler inspectors employed by insurance companies or private 10
inspection service providers which are authorized to insure boilers in this 11
state shall hold certificates of competency issued by the Boiler Inspection 12
Division Section as provided in this section and shall: 13
(1) Inspect internally and externally at least one (1) time 14
annually or within the time granted under § 20-23-203(a) all high pressure 15
steam boilers insured by their respective companies; 16
(2) Inspect externally one (1) time annually and internally one 17
(1) time every three (3) years every low pressure steam heating boiler 18
insured by their respective companies; and 19
(3) Inspect unfired pressure vessels biennially. 20
(b) The insured boilers shall be exempt from all inspections other 21
than those of the respective insurance company inspectors unless there is 22
some evidence that proper inspection is not being made. 23
(c) Within thirty (30) days following each internal inspection made by 24
its inspectors, each insurance company shall file a copy of the internal 25
inspection report and date of the inspection with the Boiler Inspection 26
Division Section on forms approved by the Division of Labor Secretary of the 27
Department of Labor and Licensing or his or her designee . 28
(d)(1) Each insurance company shall file a report annually of all 29
boilers insured and inspected showing location, owner, state number, and date 30
of last inspection. 31
(2) The report shall be filed not later than January 30 of each 32
calendar year. 33
(e)(1) If annual reports are not filed with the Boiler Inspection 34
Division Section by insurance companies who have insurance on boilers in the 35
State of Arkansas within sixty (60) days from the date they are due 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
27 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
inspection, the Boiler Inspection Division Section shall make the required 1
inspection. 2
(2) A special inspection fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for 3
each boiler or unfired pressure vessel inspected, plus mileage and expenses 4
from Little Rock to point of inspection and return not to exceed the current 5
rate authorized by the General Assembly to employees of state agencies who 6
furnish their own transportation, plus any meals and hotel bills incurred 7
shall be charged to the insurance company insuring the boilers or unfired 8
pressure vessels unless an extension of time is granted by the Chief 9
Inspector of the Boiler Inspection Division Section. 10
(f) No operating certificate issued for an insured boiler inspected by 11
an insurance company inspector shall be valid after the boiler for which it 12
was issued shall cease to be insured by a company authorized by this state to 13
carry the insurance. 14
15
SECTION 43. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-404 is amended to read as follows: 16
20-23-404. Operators. 17
(a)(1) The Boiler Inspection Division Section or an authorized 18
representative of the Boiler Inspection Section shall conduct examinations 19
for each applicant seeking a boiler operator's license. 20
(2) The examination may be either written or oral shall be 21
written. 22
(3) Each applicant shall pay a fee of twenty -five dollars 23
($25.00) for the examination and the first license. 24
(4) Each license shall be renewed annually. The annual fee shall 25
be seventeen dollars ($17.00). 26
(5) Before the applicant may participate in an examination, he 27
or she shall have had not less than six (6) months of on -the-job training. 28
Proof of this on-the-job training shall be furnished to the Division of Labor 29
Boiler Inspection Section by the employer before the examination. 30
(6) A restricted license may be issued to an applicant who has 31
passed the examination required in this subsection but who has not met the 32
requirements of subdivision (a)(5) of this section, provided that: 33
(A) The restricted license shall be effective for one (1) 34
year from the date of issue; and 35
(B) The licensee is to work under the direction and 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
28 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
supervision of a regularly licensed boiler operator. 1
(b)(1) Any operator found operating a boiler without a certificate 2
issued by the Boiler Inspection Division Section or operating a boiler 3
knowing it to be defective shall have his or her license revoked at once. 4
(2) Any person found operating a boiler without an operator's 5
license shall be subject to an administrative fine of not less than twenty -6
five dollars ($25.00) and not more than one hundred dollars ($100). 7
8
SECTION 44. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-405 is amended to read as follows: 9
20-23-405. Sellers, installers, and repairers , and inspection service 10
providers. 11
(a)(1) All persons, firms, or corporations engaged in the sale , or 12
installation, or inspection services of boilers, unfired pressure vessels, 13
hot water storage containers, or pressure piping in any location shall be 14
licensed by the Boiler Inspection Division Section to perform the work. 15
(2) The annual license fee shall be seventy -five dollars 16
($75.00) per year, payable in advance on or before January 31 of each 17
calendar year. 18
(b)(1) All persons, firms, or corporations engaged in the repair of 19
boilers or unfired pressure vessels shall be licensed by the division Boiler 20
Inspection Section. 21
(2) The annual license fee shall be seventy -five dollars 22
($75.00) annually, payable in advance on or before January 31 of each 23
calendar year. 24
(c) Each person, firm, or corporation shall furnish evidence suitable 25
to the division Boiler Inspection Section that the person, firm, or 26
coporation corporation is qualified to perform the work. 27
(d) The license of any person, firm, or corporation may be revoked by 28
the division Boiler Inspection Section upon proof that the person, firm, or 29
corporation is not performing the work in compliance with this chapter and 30
the rules as provided in this chapter. 31
(e) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be 32
guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of 33
not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than one thousand dollars 34
($1,000) or by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years or by both fine 35
and imprisonment. 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
29 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(f) The provisions of §§ 20-23-104, 20-23-307 — 20-23-309, 20-23-1
403, 20-23-404, and this section shall not apply to firms under the 2
regulation of the United States Surface Transportation Board. 3
4
SECTION 45. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-406 is amended to read as follows: 5
20-23-406. Restricted lifetime license – Certificate of competency and 6
commission. 7
(a)(1)(A) Upon reaching sixty-five (65) years of age or any time 8
thereafter, any person who has been a boiler inspector for no fewer than 9
twelve (12) years may apply for a restricted lifetime boiler inspector's 10
certificate of competency and commission. 11
(B) The certificate of competency and commission shall be 12
issued upon satisfactory proof of age and upon payment of a fee prescribed by 13
the division Boiler Inspection Section . 14
(2)(A) Upon reaching sixty-five (65) years of age or any time 15
thereafter, any person who has been a boiler operator for no fewer than 16
twelve (12) years may apply for a restricted lifetime boiler operator's 17
license. 18
(B) The license shall be issued upon satisfactory proof of 19
age and upon payment of a fee prescribed by the division Boiler Inspection 20
Section. 21
(3)(A) Upon reaching sixty-five (65) years of age or any time 22
thereafter, any person who has been engaged in the sale or installation of 23
boilers, unfired pressure vessels, hot water storage containers, or pressure 24
piping for no fewer than twelve (12) years may apply for a restricted 25
lifetime license. 26
(B) The license shall be issued upon satisfactory proof of 27
age and upon payment of a fee prescribed by the division Boiler Inspection 28
Section. 29
(4)(A) Upon reaching sixty-five (65) years of age or any time 30
thereafter, any person who has been engaged in the repair of boilers or 31
unfired pressure vessels for no fewer than twelve (12) years may apply for a 32
restricted lifetime license. 33
(B) The license shall be issued upon satisfactory proof of 34
age and upon payment of a fee prescribed by the division Boiler Inspection 35
Section. 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
30 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
(b) The division Boiler Inspection Section shall promulgate rules 1
necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. 2
3
SECTION 46. Arkansas Code § 20 -23-407 is amended to read as follows: 4
20-23-407. Owner or user inspection programs. 5
(a) Any owner or user of a steam boiler or pressure vessel subject to 6
this chapter may perform any inspections required by this chapter on such 7
vessels owned or operated by the owner or user if the owner or user meets the 8
requirements prescribed by rule of the Director of the Division of Labor 9
Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing or his or her designee . 10
(b) The director secretary or his or her designee shall set out 11
requirements for the certification of owner or user inspectors and 12
certification of owner or user inspection programs by rule and shall have 13
full authority to promulgate and enforce those rules. 14
(c)(1)(A) After notice and opportunity for hearing, any owner or user 15
who is found to have violated rules prescribed by the director secretary or 16
his or her designee pursuant to this subchapter shall be assessed a civil 17
monetary penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) or more than 18
five thousand dollars ($5,000). 19
(B) Each day that a violation continues shall be 20
considered a separate violation. 21
(2) The director secretary or his or her designee may bring a 22
civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the amount of 23
any civil monetary penalties. 24
(d) In addition to civil monetary penalties, any owner or user who is 25
found to be in violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class A 26
misdemeanor. 27
28
SECTION 47. Arkansas Code § 20 -24-106(a), concerning the powers and 29
duties of the Elevator Safety Board, is amended to read as follows: 30
(a) It shall be the duty of the Elevator Safety Board to license 31
elevator inspectors, elevator mechanics, elevator testing contractors, and 32
elevator contractors as provided in this chapter and to revoke or suspend any 33
such license for cause. 34
35
SECTION 48. The introductory language of Arkansas Code § 20 -24-36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
31 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
108(c)(2), concerning application requirements, is amended to read as 1
follows: 2
(2) To be eligible for an elevator contractor license or 3
elevator testing contractor license , the applicant or licensee shall: 4
5
SECTION 49. Arkansas Code § 20 -24-109 is amended to read as follows: 6
20-24-109. Application and examination for licenses – Issuance and 7
renewal. 8
(a)(1) A written application for the examination and license for 9
elevator inspector, elevator mechanic, elevator testing contractor, or 10
elevator contractor shall be made upon a form to be supplied by the Elevator 11
Safety Board upon request and shall be accompanied by a statement of the 12
applicant's experience together with an examination fee not to exceed one 13
hundred fifty dollars ($150). 14
(2) The examination shall be given not more than six (6) months 15
from the date when the applicant makes the application. 16
(3)(A) If the applicant is qualified and successfully passes the 17
applicable examination specified in this section, then upon payment of a 18
license fee, he or she shall be entitled to : a one-year license as an 19
elevator inspector, elevator mechanic, elevator testing contractor, or 20
elevator contractor. 21
(i) A one-year license as an elevator inspector or 22
elevator contractor; or 23
(ii) A two-year license as an elevator mechanic. 24
(B) The license fee and the license renewal fee shall be 25
established by the board, but in no event shall either fee exceed one 26
thousand dollars ($1,000). 27
(4)(A) There shall be no limit to the number of times an 28
applicant may seek a license as provided in this section, except that a 29
rejected applicant may not make application within six (6) months from the 30
date on which he or she is notified that he or she has failed to qualify. 31
(B) A license fee shall be paid for the initial 32
examination and each subsequent examination. 33
(b) The board may license a person as an elevator inspector, elevator 34
mechanic, elevator testing contractor, or elevator contractor without 35
examination if he or she holds an equivalent license for a state or city that 36 As Engrossed: S4/7/25 SB627
32 04-07-2025 15:06:51 LGL199
has a standard of examination substantially equal to that provided for in § 1
20-24-108. 2
(c) The board shall renew a license after receiving: 3
(1) Payment of the license renewal fee; and 4
(2) Submission of proof that the licensee has satisfied the 5
continuing education requirements established by rule of the board. 6
(d)(1) Whenever an emergency exists and the board determines that 7
there are not enough licensed elevator mechanics to perform the work 8
necessary to provide for the safety of life, limb, and property and to 9
protect the public welfare, the board may waive the requirements of this 10
chapter and issue an emergency elevator mechanic license that may be valid 11
for no longer than thirty (30) days. 12
(2) Whenever the board determines that there are not enough 13
licensed elevator mechanics available to perform work necessary for the 14
completion of a project for which the Division of Occupational and 15
Professional Licensing Boards and Commissions Department of Labor and 16
Licensing has issued a permit under § 20-24-115(d), the board may waive the 17
requirements of this chapter and issue a temporary elevator mechanic license 18
that may be valid for no longer than thirty (30) days. 19
(3) The board may renew an emergency or temporary license if the 20
circumstances justifying its original issuance continue. 21
22
SECTION 50. Arkansas Code § 20 -24-110(c), concerning prohibited 23
activities of elevator inspectors, is amended to read as follows: 24
(c) No elevator inspector shall recommend or refer one (1) of his or 25
her clients or customers to a specific business, firm, or corporation which 26
manufactures, installs, repairs, alters, tests, or services elevators, 27
escalators, or dumbwaiters. 28
29
SECTION 51. DO NOT CODIFY. HVACR Class C license transfer. 30
As of September 1, 2025, all active and current Class C license holders 31
will be Class B license holders and may perform all HVACR work previously 32
permitted with a Class C license and that of a Class B license. 33
34
/s/Irvin 35
APPROVED: 4/17/25 36