Brief Description: Requiring electrical contractors to be licensed before advertising.

Sponsors: Representatives Alexander, Conway, DeBolt, Chandler and Simpson.

Hearing Date: 2/26/03

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

Background:

State law provides that it is unlawful to engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of doing certain electrical work without having an electrical contractor license. It does not, however, explicitly prohibit advertising, offering to do, or submitting a bid for such work without a license.

In contrast, it is unlawful to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of doing telecommunications work without having a telecommunications contractor license. Similarly, it is unlawful to advertise, offer to do work, submit a bid, or perform any work as a contractor without being a registered contractor.

Summary of Bill:

It is unlawful to advertise, offer to do, or submit a bid for electrical work without having an electrical contractor license, as well as to engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of doing certain electrical work without such a license.

Rules Authority: The bill does not address an agency's rule-making authority.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.