SLS 14RS-318 ORIGINAL Page 1 of 2 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. Regular Session, 2014 SENATE BILL NO. 447 BY SENATOR MORRELL CONTRACTORS. Requires the State Licensing Board for Contractors to provide testing specifically for solar installers. (8/1/14) AN ACT1 To enact R.S. 37:2156.3, relative to the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors; to2 provide relative to solar electric systems and solar thermal systems; to provide for3 examinations; to provide for procedures, terms, and conditions; to provide for the4 adoption of rules; and to provide for related matters.5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6 Section 1. R.S. 37:2156.3 is hereby enacted to read as follows:7 ยง2156.3. Installation of solar energy systems8 A. No licensed contractor shall install solar electric systems or solar9 thermal systems on or after March 1, 2015, unless he is in compliance with the10 rules adopted by the board in accordance with the provisions of this Section.11 B. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no later than12 January 1, 2015, the board shall adopt rules in accordance with the13 Administrative Procedure Act regulating the installation of solar electric14 systems or solar thermal systems by licensed contractors. Such rules shall, at15 a minimum, include the requirement of passage by a contractor of a separate16 written examination that substantially conforms to the North American Board17 SB NO. 447 SLS 14RS-318 ORIGINAL Page 2 of 2 Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law; words in boldface type and underscored are additions. of Certified Energy Practitioners certification standards.1 C. In developing the rules, the board shall specifically consider the2 feasibility of establishing a specialty classification for contractors who install3 solar electric systems or solar thermal systems. If the board determines that4 such specialty classification is warranted, it shall include requirements and5 procedures for such specialty classification as necessary in the rules.6 D. For the purposes of this Subsection, "solar electric system" and7 "solar thermal system" shall have the same meaning as provided for in R.S.8 47:6030.9 The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Michelle Ducharme. DIGEST Morrell (SB 447) Present law provides for the regulation of contractors by the La. State Licensing Board for Contractors (board). Proposed law provides that no licensed contractor shall install solar electric systems or solar thermal systems on or after March 1, 2015, unless he is in compliance with the rules adopted by the board in accordance with the provisions of proposed law. Proposed law provides that notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no later than January 1, 2015, the board shall adopt rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act regulating the installation of solar electric systems or solar thermal systems by licensed contractors. Such rules shall, at a minimum, include the requirement of passage by a contractor of a separate written examination that substantially conforms to the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners certification standards. Proposed law provides that in developing the rules, the board shall specifically consider the feasibility of establishing a specialty classification for contractors who install solar electric systems or solar thermal systems. If the board determines that such specialty classification is warranted, it shall include requirements and procedures as necessary in the rules. Proposed law provides for the definition of "solar electric system" and "solar thermal system". Effective August 1, 2014. (Adds R.S. 37:2156.3)