Louisiana House Bill HB79

Louisiana 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/12/12
• Refer: 3/12/12

Caption

Exempts certain contractors licensed by the state fire marshal from the definition of electrical contractor

Impact

If enacted, HB 79 would have implications for how contractors involved in life safety and property protection are regulated in Louisiana. Currently, contractors undertaking tasks associated with electrical installations must comply with certain state regulations; however, by exempting those working in life safety sectors, the bill allows these contractors to focus on their specialized activities without navigating the complexities associated with electrical contracting. This could streamline operations for licensed contractors while ensuring that essential services related to safety and protection remain accessible.

Summary

House Bill 79 proposes an amendment to the definition of 'electrical contractor' in Louisiana law. Specifically, the bill seeks to exempt life safety and property protection contractors who are licensed by the state fire marshal from being classified as electrical contractors. This change is intended to clarify the distinction between general electrical work and specialized contracting related to life safety and property protection systems. The authors of the bill argue that such an exemption is necessary to enable licensed contractors to operate without the burden of additional regulatory requirements that are applied to electrical contractors.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 79 appears to be largely supportive among contractors involved in life safety and property protection fields. Advocates for the bill argue that the exemption could foster greater efficiency and flexibility within this specific segment of the contracting industry. They emphasize that it will enable experts in life safety to focus on their core competencies without the constraints of broader electrical contractor regulations. On the other hand, there may be concerns from electrical contractors or regulatory bodies about the potential impact on safety and standards if exemptions are too broad.

Contention

While HB 79 is under consideration, some questions have been raised regarding the scope of the exemption and its potential implications for public safety. Critics may argue that exemptions could risk reducing oversight or create ambiguities in licensing standards, which could be detrimental if life safety systems are not installed correctly. The debate may center around balancing the desire for regulatory relief for specialized contractors with the necessity of ensuring that all safety-related installations meet strict standards.