SB125: SB125 Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors; decouple the sequential order of experience and examination requirements

25 LC 55 0644S Senate Bill 125 By: Senators Walker III of the 20th, Setzler of the 37th, Kennedy of the 18th, Strickland of the 42nd, Brass of the 6th and others AS PASSED A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Titles 8, 10, 36, 43, and 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to1 buildings and housing, commerce and trade, local government, professions and businesses,2 and public utilities and public transportation, respectively, so as to revise provisions relating3 to professional licenses; to establish on behalf of professiona l licensing boards under the4 jurisdiction of the office of the Secretary of State a continuing education tracking solution5 to monitor compliance of licensees with applicable continuing e ducation requirements; to6 provide for definitions; to require compliance with continuing education requirements prior7 to the issuance of certain licenses; to provide for the adoptio n of rules and regulations; to8 change certain provisions relating to electrical contractors, p lumbers, conditioned air9 contractors, low voltage contractors, and utility contractors; to change certain definitions; to10 provide for qualifications of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board; to provide for11 certain restrictions relating to classes of low voltage licenses; to change certain provisions12 related to the power and duties of the divisions and the divisi on director; to provide for13 additional licensing requirements; to provide requirements for license renewals and inactive14 licenses; to provide for approval of safety training; to change certain provisions relating to15 applicability; to decouple the sequential order of experience and examination requirements16 for professional engineers; to provide for conforming cross-references and terminology; to17 provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.18 S. B. 125 - 1 - 25 LC 55 0644S BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:19 PART I20 SECTION 1-1.21 Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses,22 is amended by revising Chapter 14, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned23 air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors, as follows:24 "CHAPTER 1425 43-14-1.26 This chapter is enacted for the purpose of safeguarding homeown ers, other property27 owners, tenants, and the general public against faulty, inadequ ate, inefficient, or unsafe28 electrical, plumbing, low-voltage low voltage wiring, utility contracting, or conditioned air29 installations. The practice practices of electrical contracting, plumbing contracting,30 installing, or repairing, low-voltage low voltage contracting, utility contracting, and31 conditioned air contracting are declared to be businesses or professions affecting the public32 interest; and this chapter shall be liberally construed so as t o accomplish the purposes33 stated in this Code section.34 43-14-2.35 As used in this chapter, the term:36 (.1)(1) 'Alarm system' means any device or combination of devices use d to detect a37 situation, causing an alarm in the event of a burglary, fire, robbery, medical emergency,38 or equipment failure, or on the occurrence of any other predetermined event.39 (1)(2) 'Board' means the State Construction Industry Licensing Board.40 S. B. 125 - 2 - 25 LC 55 0644S (2)(3) 'Certificate of competency' means a valid and current certificate that is issued by41 the Division of Electrical Contractors created in Code Section 43-14-3, which certificate42 shall give and that gives the named electrical contractor to which it is issued authority to43 engage in electrical contracting of the kind described therein. Certificates of competency44 shall be of two kinds, Class I and Class II, according to the classification of license held45 by the electrical contractor.46 (3)(4) 'Conditioned air contracting' means the installation, repair, or service of47 conditioned air systems or conditioned air equipment., which includes, but is not limited48 to:49 (A) Service to or installation of the electrical connection betwe en the electrical50 disconnect and conditioned air equipment is considered to be in stallation, repair, or51 service of conditioned air equipment or the conditioned air system.; and52 (B) Service to or installation of the electrical circuit from the electrical distribution53 panel to the conditioned air equipment where the electrical ser vice to the building or54 site is a single-phase electrical circuit not exceeding 200 amperes is considered to be55 installation, repair, or service of conditioned air equipment o r the conditioned air56 system.57 (4)(5) 'Conditioned air contractor' means an individual who is any person engaged in58 conditioned air contracting under express or implied contract or who that bids for, offers59 to perform, purports to have the capacity to perform, or does p erform conditioned air60 contracting services under express or implied contract. The te rm 'conditioned air61 contractor' Such term shall not include a person an individual who is an employee of a62 conditioned air contractor and who receives only a salary or hourly wage for performing63 conditioned air contracting work.64 (5)(6) 'Conditioned air equipment' means heating and air-conditionin g equipment65 covered under state codes and the natural gas piping system on the outlet side of the gas66 meter.67 S. B. 125 - 3 - 25 LC 55 0644S (6)(7) 'Electrical contracting' means the installation, maintenance, alteration, or repair68 of any electrical equipment, apparatus, control system, or electrical wiring device which69 is attached to or incorporated into any building or structure i n this state but shall not70 include low-voltage low voltage contracting.71 (7)(8) 'Electrical contractor' means any person who engages engaged in the business of72 electrical contracting under express or implied contract or who that bids for, offers to73 perform, purports to have the capacity to perform, or does perform electrical contracting74 services under express or implied contract. The term 'electric al contractor' Such term75 shall not include a person an individual who is an employee of an electrical contractor76 and who receives only a salary or hourly wage for performing electrical contracting work.77 (8)(9) 'Executive director' means the executive director of the Stat e Construction78 Industry Licensing Board.79 (8.1)(10) 'General system' means any electrical system, other than an a larm or80 telecommunication system, involving low-voltage low voltage wiring.81 (9)(11) 'Journeyman plumber' means any person individual other than a master plumber82 who has practical knowledge of the installation of plumbing and installs plumbing under83 the direction of a master plumber.84 (10)(12) 'License' means a valid and current certificate of registrati on issued by a85 division of the board, which certificate shall give the named person to whom it is issued86 authority to engage in the activity prescribed thereon.87 (10.1)(13) 'Low voltage 'Low-voltage contracting' means the installation, alteration,88 service, or repair of a telecommunication system, alarm system, or general system89 involving low-voltage low voltage wiring.90 (10.2)(14) 'Low voltage 'Low-voltage contractor' means an individual who is any person91 engaged in low-voltage low voltage contracting under express or implied contract or who92 that bids for, offers to perform, purports to have the capacity to perform, or does perform93 low-voltage low voltage contracting services under express or implied contract. An94 S. B. 125 - 4 - 25 LC 55 0644S employee of a low-voltage contractor who receives only a salary or hourly wage for95 performing low-voltage contracting work shall not be required to be licensed under this96 chapter, except that those employees upon whom the qualificatio n of a partnership,97 limited liability company, or corporation rests as outlined in subsection (b) of Code98 Section 43-14-8.1 shall be licensed.99 (10.3)(15) 'Low voltage 'Low-voltage wiring' means:100 (A) Wiring systems of 50 volts or less and control circuits di rectly associated101 therewith;102 (B) Wiring systems having a voltage in excess of 50 volts, pro vided such systems103 consist solely of power limited circuits meeting the definition of a Class II and Class104 III wiring system as defined in Article 725 of the National Electrical Code; or105 (C) Line voltage wiring having a voltage not in excess of 300 volts to ground and106 installed from the load-side terminals of a suitable disconnecting means which has been107 installed for the specific purpose of supplying the low-voltage low voltage wiring108 system involved or installed from a suitable junction box which has been installed for109 such specific purpose.110 (11)(16) 'Master plumber' means any individual engaging engaged in the business of111 plumbing under express or implied contract or who bids for, offers to perform, purports112 to have the capacity to perform, or does perform plumbing contr acting services under113 express or implied contract.114 (12)(17) 'Plumbing' means:115 (A) The the practice of installing, maintaining, altering, or repairing pi ping fixtures,116 appliances, and appurtenances in connection with sanitary drainage or storm drainage117 facilities, venting systems, medical gas piping systems, natural gas piping systems on118 the outlet side of gas meters, or public or private water suppl y systems within or119 adjacent to any building, structure, or conveyance, or manhole; provided, however, that120 after July 1, 1997, only master plumbers and journeyman plumber s who have been121 S. B. 125 - 5 - 25 LC 55 0644S certified by the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plu mbers to perform122 such tasks shall be authorized to install, maintain, alter, or repair medical gas piping123 systems. The term 'plumbing' also includes the and124 (B) The practice of and materials used in installing, maintaining, extending, or altering125 the natural gas, storm-water, sewerage, and water supply system s of any premises to126 their connection with any point of public disposal or other acc eptable terminal;127 provided, however, that licensure under this chapter shall not be required for a128 contractor certified by the Department of Public Health to make the connection to any129 on-site waste-water management system from the stub out exiting the structure to an130 on-site waste-water management system. Notwithstanding any other provision of this131 chapter, any person who holds a valid master plumbing license or any company which132 holds a valid utility contractor license shall be qualified to construct, alter, or repair any133 plumbing system which extends from the property line up to but not within five feet of134 any building, structure, or conveyance, regardless of the cost or depth of any such135 plumbing system.136 (12.1)(18) 'Telecommunication system' means a switching system and assoc iated137 apparatus which performs the basic function of two-way voice or data service, or both,138 and which can be a commonly controlled system capable of being administered both139 locally and remotely via secured access.140 (13)(19) 'Utility contracting' means undertaking to construct, erect, alter, or repair or141 have constructed, erected, altered, or repaired any utility system.142 (14)(20) 'Utility contractor' means a sole proprietorship, partnership , or corporation143 which is engaged in utility contracting under express or implied contract or which bids144 for, offers to perform, purports to have the capacity to perfor m, or does perform utility145 contracting under express or implied contract.146 (15)(21) 'Utility foreman' means any individual who is employed by a licensed contractor147 to supervise the construction, erection, alteration, or repair of utility systems.148 S. B. 125 - 6 - 25 LC 55 0644S (16)(22) 'Utility manager' means any individual who is employed by a utility contractor149 to have oversight and charge of the construction, erection, alteration, or repair of utility150 systems.151 (17)(23) 'Utility system' means:152 (A) Any system at least five feet underground, when installed or accessed by trenching,153 open cut, cut and cover, or other similar construction methods which install or access154 the system from the ground surface, including, but not limited to, gas distribution155 systems, electrical distribution systems, communication systems, water supply systems,156 and sanitary sewerage and drainage systems; and157 (B) Reservoirs and filtration plants, water and waste-water treatment plants, leachate158 collection and treatment systems associated with landfills, and pump stations, when the159 system distributes or collects a service, product, or commodity for which a fee or price160 is paid for said service, product, or commodity or for the disp osal of said service,161 product, or commodity.162 43-14-3.163 (a) There is created within the executive branch of state government the State Construction164 Industry Licensing Board. The board shall be assigned to the Secretary of State's office for165 administrative purposes and shall be under the jurisdiction of the division director.166 (b) The board shall be composed of 27 members as follows:167 (1) Five members known as the Division of Electrical Contractors, one of whom shall168 be a consulting professional engineer engaged in electrical practice, another of whom169 shall be the chief electrical an inspector with electrical inspection duties of a county or170 municipality, and shall have served in such office for five years immediately preceding171 appointment to the board or a third-party inspector regularly providing inspections to a172 county or municipality , and the remaining three of whom shall be engaged in the173 electrical contracting business licensed electrical contractors in this state;174 S. B. 125 - 7 - 25 LC 55 0644S (2) Five members known as the Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers,175 one of whom shall be a full-time plumbing inspector of a county or municipality, three176 of whom shall be master or contracting plumbers, and one of who m shall be a177 journeyman plumber;178 (3) Five members known as the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors, one of whom179 shall be a licensed professional engineer engaged in mechanical practice, one of whom180 shall be the chief conditioned air inspector of a county or mun icipality, and three of181 whom shall be conditioned air contractors with more than five years of installation and182 service experience in the trade;183 (4) Five members known as the Division of Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractors, one184 of whom shall be an alarm system low-voltage low voltage contractor, one of whom shall185 be an unrestricted low-voltage low voltage contractor, one of whom shall be a186 telecommunication system low-voltage low voltage contractor, one of whom shall be a187 professional electrical engineer, and one of whom shall be the chief electrical an inspector188 with electrical inspection duties of a county or municipality or contracted by a county or189 municipality to perform electrical inspections;190 (5) Five members known as the Division of Utility Contractors, three of whom shall be191 utility contractors, one of whom shall be a registered professional engineer, and one of192 whom shall be an insurance company representative engaged primarily in the bonding of193 construction projects; and194 (6) Two members who shall not have any connection with the ele ctrical contracting,195 plumbing, or conditioned air contracting businesses whatsoever but who shall have a196 recognized interest in consumer affairs and consumer protection concerns.197 (c) All members shall be appointed by the Governor, subject to confirmation by the198 Senate, for four-year terms.199 (d) A member shall serve until a successor has been duly appointed and qualified.200 S. B. 125 - 8 - 25 LC 55 0644S (e) The Governor shall make appointments to fill the unexpired portions of any terms201 vacated for any reason. In making such appointments, the Gover nor shall preserve the202 composition of the board as required by this chapter. Members shall be eligible for203 reappointment.204 (f) Any appointive appointed member who, during his or her term, shall cease to meet the205 qualifications for original appointment shall thereby forfeit membership on the board.206 (g) Each member of the board shall take an oath of office befo re the Governor or the207 Governor's designee to faithfully perform the duties of such office.208 (h) The Governor may remove any member for failure to attend meetings, neglect of duty,209 incompetence, revocation or suspension of professional trade license, or other dishonorable210 conduct.211 (i) Members of the board shall be reimbursed as provided for i n subsection (f) of Code212 Section 43-1-2.213 43-14-4.214 (a) The office of chairperson shall be rotated among the five divisions enumerated in Code215 Section 43-14-3 unless the board, through its rules and regulat ions, provides otherwise. 216 Any vacancy in the office of chairperson shall be filled by the members for the unexpired217 term. The person individual selected to fill the vacancy shall be a member of the same218 division as the previous chairperson.219 (b) The board shall meet at the call of the chairperson or upo n the recommendation of a220 majority of its members.221 (c) Each division within the board shall also elect from its membership a chairperson who222 shall serve for a term of two years. Any vacancy in the office of chairperson shall be filled223 by one of the members for the unexpired term.224 (d) Any member elected chairperson of a division may serve more than one consecutive225 term of office.226 S. B. 125 - 9 - 25 LC 55 0644S (e) Each division shall carry out its powers and duties provided for in this chapter with the227 assistance of the executive director and staff of the board.228 (f) The divisions shall meet at the call of the chairperson.229 (g) Three members of each division shall constitute a quorum f or the transaction of230 business of such division.231 43-14-5.232 The board shall have the power to:233 (1) Request from the various state departments and other agencies and authorities of the234 state and its political subdivisions and their agencies and aut horities such available235 information as it may require in its work; and all such agencie s and authorities shall236 furnish such requested available information to the board within a reasonable time;237 (2) Provide by regulation for reciprocity with other states in the registration and licensing238 of electrical contractors, master plumbers, journeyman plumbers, low-voltage low voltage239 contractors, utility contractors, or conditioned air contractors and in the certification of240 utility contracti ng foremen, provided that such other states ha ve requirements241 substantially equal similar to the requirements in force in this state for registration,242 licensure, and certification; provided, further, that a similar privilege is offered to243 residents of this state;244 (3) Adopt an official seal for its use and change it at pleasu re modify such seal as the245 board deems necessary;246 (4) Establish the policies for regulating the businesses of electrical contracti ng,247 plumbing, low-voltage, utility plumbing contracting, low voltage contracting, utility248 contracting, and conditioned air contracting;249 (4.1)(5) Upon notice and hearing authorized and conducted in accordanc e with Code250 Section 43-14-10 43-14-14 and any rules and regulations promulgated by the board,251 either by the board directly or through a valid delegation of t he board's enforcement252 S. B. 125 - 10 - 25 LC 55 0644S power to a division thereof, assess civil penalties in an amoun t up to $10,000.00 per253 violation against any person found to be in violation of any requirement of this chapter;254 (5)(6) Determine qualifications for licensure or certification including such experience255 requirements as the board deems necessary; and256 (6)(7) Promulgate and adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out this chapter.257 43-14-6.258 (a) The Division of Electrical Contractors, with respect to ap plicants for a license to259 engage in or licensees engaging in the business of electrical c ontracting; the Division of260 Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers, with respect to applic ants for a license to261 engage in or licensees engaging in the business of plumbing as master plumbers or262 journeyman plumbers; the Division of Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractors, with respect263 to applicants for a license to engage in or licensees engaging in the business of low-voltage264 low voltage contracting; the Division of Utility Contractors with respect to applicants for265 a license to engage in or licensees engaging in the business of utility contracting and with266 respect to applicants for a certificate to be a utility manager or utility foreman or holders267 of a utility manager or utility foreman certificate; and the Di vision of Conditioned Air268 Contractors, with respect to applicants for a license to engage in or licensees engaging in269 the business of conditioned air contracting, shall:270 (1) Approve examinations for all applicants for licenses or certificates, except for utility271 contractor licenses and utility foreman certificates., as follows:272 (A) The Division of Electrical Contractors shall approve separate examinations for273 Class I and Class II licenses. Class I licenses shall be restricted to electrical contracting274 involving multifamily structures of not more than two levels or single-family dwellings275 of up to three levels. In addition, the; provided, however, that such structures shall have276 single-phase electrical installations which do not exceed 400 a mperes at the service277 drop or the service lateral. Class II licenses shall be unrestricted.;278 S. B. 125 - 11 - 25 LC 55 0644S (B) The Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers shall approve separate279 examinations for Master Plumber Class I, Master Plumber Class I I, and Journeyman280 Plumbers. Master Plumber Class I licenses shall be restricted to plumbing involving281 single-family dwellings and one-level multifamily dwellings designed for not more than282 two families three stories and commercial structures not to exceed 10,000 20,000283 square feet in area. Master Plumber Class II licenses shall be unrestricted. Only a284 journeyman plumber, a Master Plumber Class I, or a Master Plumber Class II shall be285 authorized to install, maintain, alter, or repair medical gas piping systems;286 (C) The Division of Conditioned Air Contractors shall approve separate examinations287 for Class I and Class II licenses. Class I licenses shall be restricted to the installation,288 repair, or service of conditioned air systems or equipment not exceeding 175,000 BTU289 (net) of heating and five tons (60,000 BTU) of cooling. Class II licenses shall be290 unrestricted.; and291 (D) The Division of Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractors shall approve separate292 examinations for:293 (i) Low Voltage Low-voltage Contractor Class LV-A, licenses restricted to alarm and294 general system low voltage contracting;295 (ii) Low Voltage Low-voltage Contractor Class LV-T, licenses restricted to296 telecommunication and general system low voltage contracting;297 (iii) Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-G licenses restricted to general system low298 voltage contracting; and299 (iv) Low Voltage Contractor Low-voltage Contractor Class LV-U, and Low-voltage300 Contractor Class LV-G. Class LV-A licenses shall be restricted to alarm and general301 system low-voltage contracting, Class LV-T licenses shall be re stricted to302 telecommunication and general system low-voltage contracting, Class LV-G licenses303 shall be restricted to general system low-voltage contracting, and Class LV-U licenses304 S. B. 125 - 12 - 25 LC 55 0644S that shall be unrestricted and permit the performance of alarm, tel ecommunication,305 and general system low-voltage low voltage contracting;306 (2) Register and license or grant a certificate and issue rene wal licenses and renewal307 certificates biennially to all persons meeting the qualifications for a license or certificate. 308 The following licenses or certificates shall be issued by the divisions:309 (A) Electrical Contractor Class I;310 (B) Electrical Contractor Class II;311 (C) Master Plumber Class I;312 (D) Master Plumber Class II;313 (E) Journeyman Plumber;314 (F) Conditioned Air Contractor Class I;315 (G) Conditioned Air Contractor Class II;316 (H) Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-A;317 (I) Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-T;318 (J) Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-G;319 (K) Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-U;320 (L) Utility Contractor; Class A;321 (M) Utility Contractor; Class B;322 (N) Utility Contractor; Class U;323 (O) Utility Manager (certificate); and324 (P) Utility Foreman (certificate);325 (3) Investigate, with the aid of the division director, alleged violations of this chapter or326 other laws and rules and regulations of the board relating to the profession;327 (4) After notice and hearing, have the power to reprimand any person, licensee, or328 certificate holder, or to suspend, revoke, or cancel the license or certificate of or refuse329 to grant, renew, or restore a license or certificate to any per son, licensee, or certificate330 holder upon any one of the following grounds:331 S. B. 125 - 13 - 25 LC 55 0644S (A) The commission of any false, fraudulent, or deceitful act or the use of any forged,332 false, or fraudulent document in connection with the license or certificate requirements333 of this chapter or the rules and regulations of the board;334 (B) Failure at any time to comply with the requirements for a license or certificate335 under this chapter or the rules and regulations of the board;336 (C) Habitual intemperance in the use of alcoholic spirits, nar cotics, or stimulants to337 such an extent as to render the license or certificate holder unsafe or unfit to practice338 any profession licensed or certified under this chapter;339 (D) Engaging in any dishonorable or unethical conduct likely to deceive, defraud, or340 harm the public;341 (E) Knowingly performing any act which in any way assists an u nlicensed or342 noncertified person to practice such profession;343 (F) Violating, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abet ting any violation of any344 provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation of the board;345 (G) The performance of any faulty, inadequate, inefficient, or unsafe electrical,346 plumbing, low-voltage low voltage contracting, utility contracting, or conditioned air347 contracting likely to endanger life, health, or property. The performance of any work348 that does not comply with the standards set by state codes or b y local codes in349 jurisdictions where such codes are adopted, provided that such local codes are as350 stringent as the state codes, or by other codes or regulations which have been adopted351 by the board, shall be prima-facie evidence of the faulty, inad equate, inefficient, or352 unsafe character of such electrical, plumbing, low-voltage low voltage contracting,353 utility contracting, or conditioned air contracting; provided, however, that the board,354 in its sole discretion, for good cause shown and under such con ditions as it may355 prescribe, may restore a license to any person whose license ha s been suspended or356 revoked;357 S. B. 125 - 14 - 25 LC 55 0644S (H) With respect to utility contractors, the bidding by such a utility contractor in excess358 of license coverage; or359 (I) With respect to utility contractors, violations of Chapter 9 of Title 25;360 (5) Review amendments to or revisions in the state minimum standard codes as prepared361 pursuant to Part 1 of Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 8; and the Department of Community362 Affairs shall be required to provide to the division director a copy of any amendment to363 or revision in the state minimum standard codes at least 45 day s prior to the adoption364 thereof; and365 (6) Do all other things necessary and proper to exercise their powers and perform their366 duties in accordance with this chapter.367 (b) The Division of Electrical Contractors may also provide, by rules and regulations, for368 the issuance of certificates of competency pertaining to financ ial responsibility and369 financial disclosure; provided, however, that such rules and regulations are adopted by the370 board. The division shall issue certificates of competency and renewal certificates to371 persons meeting the qualifications therefor.372 (c) The divisions mentioned in subsection (a) of this Code section shall also hear appeals373 resulting from the suspension of licenses by an approved municipal or county licensing or374 inspection authority pursuant to Code Section 43-14-12 43-14-16.375 (d)(1) The Division of Conditioned Air Contractors shall be authorized to:376 (1) Require require persons seeking renewal of Conditioned Air Contractor Class I and377 Class II licenses to complete board approved continuing education of not more less than378 four hours annually.;379 (2) Approve The division shall be authorized to approve courses offered by institutions380 of higher learning, vocational technical schools, and trade, te chnical, or professional381 organizations; provided, however, that continuing education courses or programs related382 to conditioned air contracting provided or conducted by public utilities, equipment383 manufacturers, or institutions under the State Board of the Technical College System of384 S. B. 125 - 15 - 25 LC 55 0644S Georgia shall constitute acceptable continuing professional education programs for the385 purposes of this subsection. Continuing Such continuing education courses or programs386 shall be in the areas of safety, technological advances, busine ss management, or387 government regulation. Courses or programs conducted by manufacturers specifically388 to promote their products shall not be approved. The continuing education requirements389 of this subsection shall not be required for any licensed conditioned air contractor who390 is a registered professional engineer;391 (2)(3) Administer all All provisions of this subsection relating to continuing professional392 education shall be administered by the division.;393 (3)(4) Waive The division shall be authorized to waive the continuing education394 requirements in cases of hardship, disability, or illness or under such other circumstances395 as the board deems appropriate.; and396 (4)(5) Promulgate The division shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations397 to implement and ensure compliance with the requirements of this Code section.398 (5) The continuing education requirements of this subsection shall not be required of any399 licensed conditioned air contractor who is a registered professional engineer.400 (6) This Code section shall apply to each licensing and renewal cycle which begins after401 the 1990-1991 renewal.402 (e)(1) The Division of Electrical Contractors shall be authorized to:403 (1) Require individuals require persons seeking renewal of Electrical Contractor Class404 I and Class II licenses to complete board approved courses or courses which meet board405 criteria for continuing education courses of not more less than four hours annually.;406 (2) Approve The division shall be authorized to approve continuing education courses407 to be held within or outside this state that are available to a ll licensed electrical408 contractors on a reasonable nondiscriminatory fee basis. Any r equest for division409 approval of a continuing education course shall be submitted in a timely manner with due410 regard for the necessity of investigation and consideration by the division. The division411 S. B. 125 - 16 - 25 LC 55 0644S may contract with institutions of higher learning, professional organizations, or other412 qualified persons to provide programs that meet the requirement s of this paragraph413 subsection and any rules or regulations established by the division. Such programs shall414 be self-sustaining by the individual fees set and collected by the provider of the program.;415 and416 (2)(3) Waive The division shall be authorized to waive the continuing education417 requirements in cases of hardship, disability, or illness or under such other circumstances418 as the division deems appropriate.419 (f)(1) The Division of Utility Contractors shall be authorized to:420 (1) Require individuals require persons seeking renewal of utility foreman certificates421 and utility manager certificates issued under this chapter to c omplete board approved422 continuing education of not more than four hours annually.;423 (2) Approve The division shall be authorized to approve courses offered by institutions424 of higher learning, vocational-technical schools, and trade, te chnical, or professional425 organizations; provided, however, that continuing education courses or programs related426 to utility contracting provided or conducted by institutions under the State Board of the427 Technical College System of Georgia shall constitute acceptable continuing professional428 education programs for the purposes of this subsection.; and429 (2)(3) Waive The division shall be authorized to waive the continuing education430 requirements in cases of hardship, disability, or illness or under such other circumstances431 as the division deems appropriate.432 (g)(1) The Division of Master Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers shall be authorized to:433 (1) Require individuals require persons seeking renewal of Journeyman Plumber, Master434 Plumber Class I, and Master Plumber Class II licenses to comple te board approved435 continuing education of not more less than four hours annually.;436 (2) Approve The division shall be authorized to approve courses offered by institutions437 of higher learning, vocational-technical schools, and trade, te chnical, or professional438 S. B. 125 - 17 - 25 LC 55 0644S organizations; provided, however, that continuing education courses or programs related439 to plumbing provided or conducted by institutions under the State Board of the Technical440 College System of Georgia shall constitute acceptable continuing professional education441 programs for the purposes of this subsection.; and442 (2)(3) Waive The division shall be authorized to waive the continuing education443 requirements in cases of hardship, disability, or illness or under such other circumstances444 as the division deems appropriate.445 (h) Each division shall make all reasonable efforts to make th e continuing education446 offered pursuant to this Code section available online or through home study courses and447 accessible at times outside of the normal work hours of those licensed by such division.448 43-14-7.449 (a) All orders and processes of the board and the divisions of the board shall be signed and450 attested by the division director; and any notice or legal proc ess necessary to be served451 upon the board or the divisions may be served upon the division director.452 (b) The division director or his or her designee is vested with the power and authority to453 make such investigations in connection with the enforcement of this chapter and the rules454 and regulations of the board as he the director, the board, the divisions of the board, or any455 district attorney may deem necessary or advisable.456 43-14-8.457 (a)(1) No person shall engage in the electrical contracting business as an electrical458 contractor unless such person has a valid license from the Division of El ectrical459 Contractors and a certificate of competency, if such certificates are issued by the division460 pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section 43-14-6.461 (2) A person who that is not licensed as an electrical contractor or who that does not have462 a certificate of competency, if such certificates are issued by the division pursuant to463 S. B. 125 - 18 - 25 LC 55 0644S subsection (b) of Code Section 43-14-6, or both as may be applicable, shall be prohibited464 from advertising in any manner that such person is in the busin ess or profession of465 electrical contracting unless the work is performed by a licensed electrical contractor.466 (b)(1) No person shall engage in the business of plumbing contracting as a master467 plumber unless such person has a valid license from the Division of Master Plumbers and468 Journeyman Plumbers. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, any person469 who holds a valid master plumber license or any company which h olds a valid utility470 contractor license shall be qualified to construct, alter, or r epair any plumbing system471 which extends from the property line up to but not within five feet of any building,472 structure, or conveyance, regardless of the cost or depth of an y such plumbing system;473 provided, however, that only persons who hold a valid license t o engage in plumbing474 under this chapter shall be qualified to construct, alter, or r epair any plumbing system475 within five feet of any building, structure, or conveyance.476 (2) No person shall engage in the business of plumbing contracting as a journeyman477 master plumber unless such person has a valid license from the Divisi on of Master478 Plumbers and Journeyman Plumbers. A person that is not licensed as a Master Plumber479 Class 1 or a Master Plumber Class II shall be prohibited from advertising in any manner480 that such person is in the business or profession of plumbing contracting.481 (3) A person who does not have a valid license from the Divisi on of Master Plumbers482 and Journeyman Plumbers shall be prohibited from advertising in any manner that such483 person is in the business or profession of plumbing as a master plumber or journeyman484 plumber unless such person is licensed by the Division of Maste r Plumbers and485 Journeyman Plumbers and unless the work is performed by a licensed plumber.486 (c)(1) No person shall engage in the business of conditioned air contracting as a487 conditioned air contractor unless such person has a valid conditioned air contractor488 license from the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors.489 S. B. 125 - 19 - 25 LC 55 0644S (2) A person who that is not licensed as a conditioned air contractor shall be prohibited490 from advertising in any manner that such person is in the busin ess or profession of a491 conditioned air contractor unless the work is performed by a li censed conditioned air492 contractor.493 (d)(1) No person shall engage in low voltage contracting unless such person has a valid494 license from the Division of Low Voltage Contractors; provided, however, that:495 (A) An employee of a low voltage contractor who receives only a salary or hourly496 wage for performing low voltage contracting work may but shall not be required to be497 licensed under this chapter to perform such low voltage contracting work, except that498 those employees upon whom the qualification of a partnership, l imited liability499 company, or corporation rests as provided for in Code Section 43-14-9 shall be required500 to be licensed; and501 (B) Tier 2 local exchange companies, as such term is set forth in subparagraph (B) of502 paragraph (10) of Code Section 46-5-162, as well as any affilia tes or subsidiaries of503 such companies, may but shall not be required to be licensed un der this chapter to504 engage in low voltage contracting.505 (2) Except as provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection, a person that is not licensed506 as a low voltage contractor shall be prohibited from advertising in any manner that such507 person is in the business or profession of a low voltage contra ctor unless the work is508 performed by a licensed low voltage contractor.509 (d)(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, prior to and including510 September 30, 1983, the following persons, desiring to qualify under the provisions stated511 in this subsection, shall be issued a state-wide license without restriction by the appropriate512 division of the State Construction Industry Licensing Board, provided that such individual513 submits proper application and pays or has paid the required fees and is not otherwise in514 violation of this chapter:515 S. B. 125 - 20 - 25 LC 55 0644S (1) Any individual holding a license issued by the State Construction Industry Licensing516 Board, prior to the effective date of this chapter;517 (2) Any individual holding a license issued by the State Board of Electrical Contractors,518 the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing Contractors, or the State Board of Warm Air519 Heating Contractors;520 (3) Any individual holding a license to engage in such vocation issued to him or her by521 any governing authority of any political subdivision; and522 (4) Any individual who has successfully and efficiently engaged in such vocation in a523 local jurisdiction, which did not issue local licenses, for a p eriod of at least two524 consecutive years immediately prior to the time of application. To prove that he or she525 has successfully engaged in said vocation, the individual shall only be required to give526 evidence of three successful jobs completed over such period. Such applicant shall swear527 before a notary public that such evidence is true and accurate prior to its submission to528 the division.529 (e)(f) The decision of the division as to the necessity of taking the examination or as to the530 qualifications of applicants taking the required examination shall, in the absence of fraud,531 be conclusive. All individuals, partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations532 desiring to engage in such vocation after September 30, 1983, a business licensed under533 this chapter shall take the examination and qualify under this chapter before engaging in534 such vocation or business, including such vocation at the local level.535 (f)(g) No partnership, limited liability company, or corporation sha ll have the right to536 engage in the business of electrical contracting unless there i s regularly connected with537 such partnership, limited liability company, or corporation a p erson or persons actually538 actively engaged in the performance of such business on a full-time basis who have valid539 licenses issued to them as provided for in this chapter; provid ed, however, that partners,540 officers, and employees of any individual who fulfilled the lic ensing requirements shall541 continue to be authorized to engage in the business of electrical contracting under a license542 S. B. 125 - 21 - 25 LC 55 0644S which was valid at the time of the licensee's death for a period of 90 days from the date of543 such death. The division may, at its discretion, upon application by the electrical contractor544 showing good cause, grant one additional 90 day grace period.545 (g)(h) No partnership, limited liability company, or corporation sha ll have the right to546 engage in the business of plumbing unless there is regularly co nnected with such547 partnership, limited liability company, or corporation a person or persons actually actively548 engaged in the performance of such business on a full-time basis who have valid licenses549 for master plumbers issued to them as provided in this chapter; provided, however, that550 partners, officers, and employees of any individual who fulfilled the licensing requirements551 shall continue to be authorized to engage in the business of plumbing contracting under a552 license which was valid at the time of the licensee's death for a period of 90 days from the553 date of such death. The division may, at its discretion, upon application by the plumbing554 contractor showing good cause, grant one additional 90 day grace period.555 (h)(i) No partnership, limited liability company, or corporation sha ll have the right to556 engage in the business of conditioned air contracting unless th ere is regularly connected557 with such partnership, limited liability company, or corporatio n a person or persons558 actually actively engaged in the performance of such business on a full-time bas is who559 have valid licenses issued to them as provided for in this chapter; provided, however, that560 partners, officers, and employees of the individual who fulfilled the licensing requirements561 shall continue to be authorized to engage in the business of co nditioned air contracting562 under a license which was valid at the time of the licensee's death for a period of 90 days563 following from the date of such death. The division may, at its discretion, upon application564 by the conditioned air contractor showing good cause, grant one additional 90 day grace565 period.566 (j) Partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations having more than one office567 location from which conditioned air contracting is performed shall have at least one person568 stationed in each branch office of such partnership, limited li ability company, or569 S. B. 125 - 22 - 25 LC 55 0644S corporation who is engaged in the performance of conditioned air contracting on a full-time570 basis; who is supervising the installation, repair, alteration, and service work of571 air-conditioning and heating systems of all employees of such branch office locations; and572 who has a valid license issued as provided in this Code section.573 (i)(k) It shall be the duty of all partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations574 qualified under this chapter to notify the appropriate division immediately within seven575 days of the severance of connection with such partnership, limited liability company, or576 corporation of any person or persons upon whom such qualification rested.577 (j)(l) Applicants All applicants for examinations and licenses provided for by this chapter578 and all any applicants for renewal of licenses under this chapter shall be required to fill out579 a form which shall be provided by each division, showing whethe r or not complete a580 division approved form on which the applicant will:581 (1) Indicate if the applicant is an individual, partnership, limited liability company, or582 corporation; and, if583 (2) If the applicant is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, provide the584 names and addresses of the partners or members or the names and addresses of the585 officers, when and where formed or incorporated, and such other information as the board586 or each division may require.; and587 (3) If the renewal is for All forms of applications for renewal of licenses shall also show588 whether or not the applicant, if it is a partnership, limited liability company, or589 corporation, still has connected with it indicate whether a duly qualified person holding590 a license issued by the division is still connected with such entity.591 (k) The board shall notify each local governing authority of the provisions of this chapter592 relating to licensure, especially the provisions of subsection (d) of this Code section. The593 board shall notify such governing authorities that after Septem ber 30, 1983, any person594 desiring a license to engage in a profession covered by this chapter shall be required to pass595 an examination as provided in this chapter.596 S. B. 125 - 23 - 25 LC 55 0644S (l)(m) Applicants who have a failing examination score on two con secutive testing597 attempts within the approved testing time frame Any applicant for licensure standing the598 examination on and after July 1, 1989, who fails the examination for licensure twice after599 such date shall be required to present satisfactory evidence to the appropriate division that600 the applicant has completed a board approved review course before such applicant will be601 admitted to a third examination approved to take the examination again. If such applicant602 fails the examination a third time, the applicant shall not be required to complete additional603 board approved review courses prior to taking subsequent examinations.604 43-14-8.1 43-14-9.605 (a) For purposes of this Code section only, 'division' means the 'Division of Low-voltage606 Low Voltage Contractors.'607 (b) No person shall engage in alarm system, general system, or telecommunication system608 low-voltage low voltage contracting unless such person has a valid license therefor from609 the Division of Low-voltage Low Voltage Contracting.610 (c)(1) Prior to January 1, 1985, any Any person desiring to qualify under the provisions611 of this subsection who meets the requirements of this subsectio n, submits proper612 application prior to and including December 31, 1984, and pays or has paid the required613 fees and is not otherwise in violation of this chapter shall be i s s u e d a s t a t e - w i d e614 Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-A, LV-G, LV-U, or LV-T license615 without examination.616 (2) An individual desiring to obtain Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-T617 shall submit to the division an affidavit which outlines the experience of said individual618 in the practice of low-voltage low voltage wiring relating to telecommunication systems.619 (3) An individual desiring to obtain a Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-A620 license shall submit to the division an affidavit which outline s the experience of said621 individual in the practice of low-voltage low voltage wiring relating to alarm systems.622 S. B. 125 - 24 - 25 LC 55 0644S (4) An individual desiring to obtain a Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-G623 license shall submit to the division an affidavit which outline s the experience of said624 individual in the practice of low-voltage low voltage wiring relating to general systems. 625 Each such affidavit for licensure shall describe in detail the installation of at least three626 complete low-voltage wiring jobs which shall demonstrate that t he individual has627 successfully performed low-voltage wiring in the area of licensure requested for a period628 of at least one year immediately prior to the time of application.629 (5) An individual desiring to obtain a Low-voltage Low Voltage Contractor Class LV-U630 license shall submit to the division an affidavit which outline s the experience of said631 individual in the practice of low-voltage low voltage wiring relating to alarm and632 telecommunication systems and which describes in detail the installation of at least six633 complete low-voltage low voltage wiring jobs, three in alarm and three in634 telecommunication systems, which shall demonstrate that the individual has successfully635 performed low-voltage low voltage wiring in those areas for a period of at least one year636 immediately prior to the time of application.637 (6) Each affidavit for licensure required in paragraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection638 shall describe in detail the installation of at least three complete low voltage wiring jobs639 which shall demonstrate that the individual has successfully pe rformed low voltage640 wiring in the area of licensure requested for a period of at least one year prior to the time641 of application.642 (d) The decision of the division as to the necessity of taking the examination or as to the643 qualifications of applicants taking the required examination shall, in the absence of fraud,644 be conclusive. All individuals, individuals serving as partners in partnerships, applicants645 for limited liability companies, or applicants for corporations desiring to engage in the646 vocation of low-voltage low voltage contracting after December 31, 1984, shall take the647 examination and qualify under this Code section before engaging in such vocation.648 S. B. 125 - 25 - 25 LC 55 0644S (e) No partnership, limited liability company, or corporation shall have the right to engage649 in the business of low-voltage low voltage contracting unless there is regularly connected650 with such partnership, limited liability company, or corporatio n a person or persons,651 actually actively engaged in the performance of such business on a full-time bas is and652 supervising the low-voltage low voltage systems installation, repair, alteration, and service653 work of all employees of such partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, who654 have valid licenses issued to them as provided in this chapter; provided, however, that655 partners, officers, and employees of any individual who fulfilled the licensing requirements656 shall continue to be authorized to engage in the business of low voltage contracting under657 a license which was valid at the time of the licensee's death for a period of 90 days from658 the date of such death. The division may, at its discretion, u pon application by the low659 voltage contractor showing good cause, grant one additional 90 day grace period.660 (f) Partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations having In cases where a661 partnership, limited liability company, or corporation has more than one office location662 from which low-voltage low voltage contracting is performed, shall have at least one663 person stationed in each branch office of such partnership, lim ited liability company, or664 corporation, who is engaged in the performance of low-voltage low voltage contracting on665 a full-time basis and ; who is supervising the low-voltage low voltage wiring systems666 installation, repair, alteration, and service work of all emplo yees of such branch office667 locations, shall have; and who has a valid license issued as provided in this Code section.668 (f) It shall be the duty of all partnerships, limited liabilit y companies, and corporations669 qualified under this Code section to notify the division, in accordance with board rules, of670 severance of connection with such partnership, limited liability company, or corporation671 of any person or persons upon whom the qualification of any suc h partnership, limited672 liability company, or corporation rested.673 (g) All applicants for examinations and licenses provided for by this Code section and all674 applicants for renewal of licenses under this Code section shal l be required to fill out a675 S. B. 125 - 26 - 25 LC 55 0644S form which shall be provided by the division, which form shall show whether or not the676 applicant is an individual, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation and, if a677 partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, the nam es and addresses of the678 partners or members or the names and addresses of the officers, when and where formed679 or incorporated, and such other information as the division in its discretion may require. 680 All forms of application for renewal of licenses shall also sho w whether or not the681 applicant, if it is a partnership, limited liability company, or corporation, still has connected682 with it a duly qualified person holding a license issued by the division.683 (h) The division shall notify each local governing authority o f the provisions of this684 chapter relating to licensure, especially the provisions of sub section (b) of this Code685 section. The division shall notify such governing authorities that after December 31, 1984,686 any person desiring a license to engage in the vocation of low-voltage contracting shall be687 required to pass an examination as provided in this chapter.688 43-14-8.2 43-14-10.689 (a) For purposes of this Code section only, 'division' means t he 'Division of Utility690 Contractors.'691 (b)(1) After June 30, 1994, no No sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation shall692 have the right to engage in the business of utility contracting unless:693 (A) Such such business holds a utility contractor license; and694 (B) There there is regularly connected with such business a person or persons who695 holds a valid utility manager certificate issued under this chapter, and such. Such utility696 manager must be actually actively engaged in the performance of such business on a697 full-time basis and must oversee the utility contracting work of all employees of the698 business.699 (2) If In cases where a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation has more than one700 permanent office, then each permanent office shall be registered with the division and at701 S. B. 125 - 27 - 25 LC 55 0644S least one person who holds a valid utility manager certificate issued under this chapter702 shall be stationed in each office on a full-time basis and shal l oversee the utility703 contracting work of all employees of that office.704 (2)(3) The requirements of this Code section shall not prevent any person holding a valid705 license issued by the State Construction Industry Licensing Boa rd, or any division706 thereof, pursuant to this chapter, from performing any work defined in the Code section707 or sections under which the license held by said person was issued.708 (c) Any corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship desiring to qualify and be issued709 a utility contractor license under the provisions of this subsection shall:710 (1) Submit a completed application to the division on the form provided indicating:711 (A) The names and addresses of proprietor, partners, or officers of such applicant;712 (B) The place and date such partnership was formed or such cor poration was713 incorporated; and714 (C) The name of the qualifying utility manager holding a curre nt certificate who is715 employed for each permanent office location of the business fro m which utility716 contracting is performed;717 (2) Submit its safety policy which must meet the minimum standards established by the718 board;719 (3) Pay or have paid the required fees; and720 (4) Not be otherwise in violation of this chapter.721 (d) The decision of the division as to the qualifications of applicants shall, in the absence722 of fraud, be conclusive.723 (e) It shall be the duty of the utility manager certificate ho lders and the licensed utility724 contractor to notify the division, in accordance with board rul es, of the severance of725 connection between such utility contractor and the utility mana ger certificate holder or726 holders upon whom the qualification of the utility contractor rested.727 S. B. 125 - 28 - 25 LC 55 0644S (f) In the event that a licensed utility contractor temporaril y does not have employed a728 utility manager certificate holder to oversee its utility contr acting work, upon notice by729 such utility contractor to the division within five seven days following the last day of730 employment of the utility manager certificate holder, the divis ion shall grant the utility731 contractor a 90 day grace period in which to employ a utility manager certificate holder to732 oversee its utility contracting work before any action may be t aken by the division to733 revoke the utility contractor's license. The division may, at its discretion, upon application734 by the utility contractor showing good cause, grant one additional 90 day grace period. 735 Grace periods totaling not more than 180 days may be granted during any two-year period. 736 Failure to have employed a utility manager certificate holder t o oversee the utility737 contracting work of the utility contractor shall be grounds for the revocation or suspension738 of the utility contractor license after a notice of hearing.739 (g) All applicants for renewal of utility contractor licenses provided for by this Code740 section shall be required to submit with the required fee a completed application on a form741 provided by the division.742 (h) It shall be unlawful for any person to contract with any o ther person for the743 performance of utility contracting work who is known by such person not to have a current,744 valid license as a utility contractor pursuant to this chapter.745 43-14-8.3 43-14-11.746 (a) After June 30, 1994, no No person may be employed as a utility manager unless that747 person holds a current utility manager certificate issued by th e Division of Utility748 Contractors.749 (b) The division shall certify all applicants for certification under this chapter who satisfy750 the requirements of this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated under this751 chapter. Persons wishing to qualify for utility manager certif ication shall submit a752 completed application form documenting required experience and other qualifications as753 S. B. 125 - 29 - 25 LC 55 0644S prescribed by the board with the required fees, and shall pass an examination, and. In order754 to obtain a utility manager certificate, an applicant must submit proof of completion of a755 board approved safety training course of safety training in utility contracting approved by756 the division. In order to continue to hold such certificate, the certifica te holder must757 present proof to the division of completion of a safety trainin g course approved by the758 division at least every two years from the date of the completi on of the initial safety759 training course.760 (c) An applicant may request an oral administration of the examination.761 43-14-8.4 43-14-12.762 (a) After June 30, 1994, no No person may be employed as a utility foreman unless that763 person holds a current utility foreman certificate issued by th e Division of Utility764 Contractors.765 (b) The division shall certify all applicants for certification under this chapter who satisfy766 the requirements of this chapter and the rules and regulations promulgated under this767 chapter. One requirement for such certification shall be the s uccessful completion of a768 board approved safety training course of safety training in utility contracting approved by769 the division. In order to continue to hold such certificate, the certificate holder must submit770 proof to the division of completion of a safety training course approved by the division at771 least every two years from the date of the completion of the initial safety training course. 772 In lieu of safety training any person desiring to be issued a utility foreman certificate may773 submit a completed application on or before December 31, 1994, which documents to the774 satisfaction of the division at least two years of experience as a utility foreman during the775 period between January 1, 1984, and June 30, 1994. Any person who does not submit a776 completed application for certification on or before December 31, 1994, must complete the777 required safety training in order to be certified.778 S. B. 125 - 30 - 25 LC 55 0644S (c) After June 30, 1994, no No utility system shall be constructed, erected, altered, or779 repaired unless a certified utility manager or certified utility foreman who holds a current780 certification is present at the job site of such construction, erection, alteration, or repair of781 the utility system.782 43-14-9 43-14-13.783 (a) Every person holding a license issued by a division of the board shall display it in a784 conspicuous manner at his or her place of business.785 (b) All commercial vehicles used by licensees and certificate holders exclusively in the786 daily operation of their business shall have prominently displayed thereon the company or787 business registration or certificate number issued by the Secretary of State's office. Such788 registration number or certificate number, or website address where such number can be789 found, shall also be prominently displayed on any advertising in telephone yellow pages790 and newspapers relating to work which a licensee or certificate holder purports to have the791 capacity to perform. Said registration or certificate number shall also be printed on all792 invoices and proposal forms.793 43-14-10 43-14-14.794 This chapter shall be administered in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50, the 'Georgia795 Administrative Procedure Act.'796 43-14-11 43-14-15.797 Whenever it shall appear to a division of the board or to the e xecutive director or to a798 county or municipal inspection authority that any person is or has been violating this799 chapter or any of the lawful rules, regulations, or orders of t he board, the division of the800 board, the local inspection authority, or the appropriate prose cuting attorney may file a801 petition for an injunction in the proper superior court of this state against such person for802 S. B. 125 - 31 - 25 LC 55 0644S the purpose of enjoining any such violation. It shall not be necessary to allege or prove that803 there is no adequate remedy at law. The right of injunction pr ovided for in this Code804 section shall be in addition to any other legal remedy which the board has and shall be in805 addition to any right of criminal prosecution provided for by law.806 43-14-12 43-14-16.807 (a) Any municipal or county inspection authority which meets the standards established808 by the board shall be authorized, after notice and hearing, to suspend the license or809 certificate of competency of, or refuse to restore a license or certificate of competency to,810 any person or licensee upon the grounds set out in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of Code811 Section 43-14-6; provided, however, that such suspension of a license by a local inspection812 authority shall be applicable only within the jurisdiction of s uch local authority. Any813 person aggrieved by an action of a local authority shall be ent itled to an appeal to the814 appropriate division of the board and shall be entitled to a hearing.815 (b)(1) This chapter shall not be construed to prohibit the gov erning authority of any816 county or municipality in the state from adopting and enforcing codes at the local level;817 provided, however, that no county or municipality may require any licensed conditioned818 air contractor or licensed plumber who has executed and deposited a bond as authorized819 in paragraph (2) of this subsection to give or furnish or execu te any code compliance820 bond or similar bond for the purpose of ensuring that all const ruction, installation, or821 modifications are made or completed in compliance with the coun ty or municipal822 ordinances or building and construction codes.823 (2) In order to protect the public from damages arising from a ny work by a licensed824 conditioned air contractor or licensed plumber, which work fail s to comply with the825 ordinances or building and construction codes adopted by any co unty or municipal826 corporation, any such licensed c onditioned air contractor or li censed plumber may827 execute and deposit with the judge of the probate court in the county of his or her828 S. B. 125 - 32 - 25 LC 55 0644S principal place of business a bond in the sum of $10,000.00. Such bond shall be a cash829 bond of $10,000.00 or executed by a surety authorized and qualified to write surety bonds830 in the State of Georgia and shall be approved by the judge of t he probate court. Such831 bond shall be conditioned upon all work done or supervised by such licensee complying832 with the provisions of any ordinances or building and construction codes of any county833 or municipal corporation wherein the work is performed. Action on such bond may be834 brought against the principal and surety thereon in the name of and for the benefit of any835 person who suffers damages as a consequence of said licensee's work not conforming to836 the requirements of any ordinances or building and construction codes; provided,837 however, that the aggregate liability of the surety to all persons so damaged shall in no838 event exceed the sum of such bond.839 (3) In any case where a bond is required under this subsection , the conditioned air840 contractor or plumber shall file a copy of the bond with the bu ilding official in the841 political subdivision wherein the work is being performed.842 (4) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to or af fect any bonding843 requirements involving contracts for public works as provided in Chapter 10 of Title 13.844 (c) No provision of this chapter shall be construed as prohibi ting or preventing a845 municipality or county from fixing, charging, assessing, or col lecting any license fee,846 registration fee, tax, or gross receipt tax on any related business or on anyone engaged in847 any related business governed by this chapter.848 43-14-12.1 43-14-17.849 (a) If a person is in violation of paragraph (1) or (2) of sub section (c) of Code Section850 43-14-8, it shall not be necessary for an investigator to observe or witness the unlicensed851 person engaged illegally in the process of work or to show work in progress or work852 completed in order to prove the unlawful practice of conditioned air contracting, plumbing853 contracting, or electrical contracting by an unlicensed person.854 S. B. 125 - 33 - 25 LC 55 0644S (b) It shall be prima-facie evidence of a violation of this chapter if any person not licensed855 as a conditioned air contractor, plumbing contractor, or electrical contractor advertises that856 such person is in the business or profession of a conditioned a ir contractor, plumbing857 contractor, or electrical contractor or advertises in a manner such that the general public858 would believe that such person is a licensed conditioned air contractor or in the business859 or profession of a conditioned air contractor, is a licensed pl umbing contractor in the860 business or profession of a plumbing contractor, or is a licensed electrical contractor in the861 business or profession of an electrical contractor . Advertising under this subsection862 includes, but is not limited to, newspaper, internet, social media and digital applications,863 television, radio, telephone directory listings, mailings, business cards, or sign at signage864 at a place of business or attached to a vehicle.865 (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Code Section 43-1-20.1, after notice and hearing,866 the board may issue a cease and desist order prohibiting any pe rson from violating the867 provisions of this chapter by engaging in the business or profe ssion of a conditioned air868 contractor, plumbing contractor, or electrical contractor without a license as required under869 this chapter.870 (d) The violation of any cease and desist order of the board issued under subsection (c) of871 this Code section shall subject the person violating the order to further proceedings before872 the board, and the board shall be authorized to impose a fine n ot to exceed $500.00873 $1,500.00 for each violation thereof. Each day that a person practices in violation of this874 Code section and chapter shall constitute a separate violation.875 (e) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prohibi t the board from seeking876 remedies otherwise available by statute without first seeking a cease and desist order in877 accordance with the provisions of this Code section.878 S. B. 125 - 34 - 25 LC 55 0644S 43-14-12.2 43-14-18.879 (a) If a person is in violation of Code Section 43-14-8.2, 43-14-8.3, or 43-14-8.4 43-14-10,880 43-14-11, or 43-14-12, it shall not be necessary for an investigator to observe or witness881 the unlicensed person engaged illegally in the process of work or to show work in progress882 or work completed in order to prove the unlawful practice of ut ility contracting by an883 unlicensed person.884 (b) It shall be prima-facie evidence of a violation of this chapter if any person not licensed885 as a utility contractor advertises that such person is in the business or profession of a utility886 contractor or advertises in a manner such that the general public would believe that such887 person is a licensed utility contractor or in the business or profession of a utility contractor. 888 Advertising under this subsection includes, but is not limited to, newspaper, television, or889 radio advertisements, telephone directory listings, mailings, b usiness cards, or a sign or890 signs at a place of business or attached to a vehicle.891 (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Code Section 43-1-20.1, after notice and hearing,892 the board may issue a cease and desist order prohibiting any pe rson from violating the893 provisions of this chapter by engaging in the business or profession of a utility contractor894 without a license as required under this chapter or by construc ting, erecting, altering, or895 repairing a utility system without a properly certified utility manager or properly certified896 utility foreman present at such job site.897 (d) The violation of any cease and desist order of the board issued under subsection (c) of898 this Code section shall subject the person violating the order to further proceedings before899 the board, and the board shall be authorized to impose a fine not to exceed $5,000.00 for900 each violation thereof. Each day that a person practices in violation of this Code section901 and chapter or constructs, erects, alters, or repairs a utility system without a properly902 certified utility manager or properly certified utility foreman present at such job site shall903 constitute a separate violation.904 S. B. 125 - 35 - 25 LC 55 0644S (e) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to prohibi t the board from seeking905 remedies otherwise available by statute without first seeking a cease and desist order in906 accordance with the provisions of this Code section.907 43-14-13 43-14-19.908 (a) This chapter shall apply to all installations, alterations , and repairs of plumbing,909 air-conditioning a nd heating, or electrical or low-voltage low voltage wiring or utility910 systems within or on public or private buildings, structures, or premises except as otherwise911 provided in this Code section.912 (b) Any person who that holds a license issued under this chapter may engage in the913 business of plumbing contracting , electrical contracting, conditioned air contracting,914 low-voltage low voltage contracting, or utility contracting but only as prescribed by the915 license, throughout the state; and except as provided in Code Section 43-14-12 43-14-16,916 no municipality or county may require such person to comply with any additional licensing917 requirements imposed by such municipality or county.918 (c) This chapter shall not apply to:919 (1) The the installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing, air-conditioning and heating,920 utility systems, or electrical services, except low-voltage low voltage wiring services, up921 to and including the meters where such work is performed by and is an integral part of922 the system owned or operated by a public service corporation, an electrical, water, or gas923 department of any municipality in this state, a railroad company, a pipeline company, or924 a mining company in the exercise of its normal function as such.;925 (2) Low voltage wiring perfo rmed by public utilities, except t hat the portion of the926 business of public utilities which involves the installation, a lteration, repair, or service927 of telecommunication systems for profit shall be covered under this chapter;928 (3) The installation, construction, or maintenance of power sy stems or929 telecommunication systems for the generation or distribution of electric current930 S. B. 125 - 36 - 25 LC 55 0644S constructed under the National Electrical Safety Code, which re gulates the safety931 requirements of utilities; but the interior wiring regulated by the National Electrical932 Safety Code shall not be exempt and must be done by an electrical contractor, except as933 otherwise provided by law;934 (4) Any technician employed by a municipal or county franchised community antenna935 television (CATV) system or a municipally owned CATV system in the performance of936 work on the system;937 (5) Regular full-time employees of an institution, manufacturer, or business who perform938 plumbing, electrical, low voltage wiring, utility contracting, or conditioned air contracting939 when working on the premises of their employer;940 (6) A contractor certified by the Department of Public Health to make the connection to941 any on-site waste-water management system from the stub out exiting the structure to an942 on-site waste-water management system;943 (7) Any employee or authorized agent of a regulated gas utilit y or municipally owned944 gas utility while in the course and scope of such employment; or945 (8) Persons licensed as manufactured or mobile home installers by the state fire marshal946 when:947 (A) Coupling the electrical connection from the service entran ce panel outside the948 manufactured housing to the distribution panel board inside the manufactured housing;949 (B) Connecting the exterior sewer outlets to the aboveground sewer system; or950 (C) Connecting the exterior water line to the aboveground water system.951 (d) This chapter shall not prohibit:952 (1) An a n individual from installing, altering, or repairing plumbing fi xtures,953 air-conditioning and heating, air-conditioning and heating fixt ures, utility systems, or954 electrical or low-voltage low voltage wiring services in a residential dwelling owned or955 occupied by such individual; provided, however, that all such w ork must be done in956 conformity with all other provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations of the board,957 S. B. 125 - 37 - 25 LC 55 0644S and any applicable county or municipal resolutions, ordinances, codes, or inspection958 requirements.;959 (e)(2) An This chapter shall not prohibit an individual employed on the maintenance staff960 of a facility owned by the state or by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision961 from installing, altering, or repairing plumbing, plumbing fixtures, air-conditioning and962 heating fixtures, utility systems, or electrical or low-voltage low voltage wiring services963 when such work is an integral part of the maintenance requireme nts of the facility;964 provided, however, that all such work must be done in conformit y with all other965 provisions of this chapter and the orders, rules, and regulations of the board.;966 (f)(3) Any This chapter shall not prohibit any person from installing, altering, or967 repairing plumbing, plumbing fixtures, air-conditioning and hea ting fixtures, utility968 systems, or electrical or low-voltage low voltage wiring services in a farm or ranch969 service building or as an integral part of any irrigation system on a farm or ranch when970 such system is not located within 30 feet of any dwelling or an y building devoted to971 animal husbandry. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the application972 of any resolution, ordinance, code, or inspection requirements of a county or municipality973 relating to such connections.;974 (4) Any person from installing, altering, or repairing the plumbing component of a lawn975 sprinkler system from a backflow preventer which was installed by a licensed plumber;976 provided, however, that all such work must be done in conformit y with all other977 provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations of the board, and ordinances of the978 county or municipality; or979 (5) Any propane dealer that is properly insured as required by law and that holds a980 liquefied petroleum gas license issued by the Safety Fire Commissioner from installing,981 repairing, or servicing a propane system or the gas piping or components of such system;982 provided, however, that such propane dealers shall be prohibite d from performing the983 S. B. 125 - 38 - 25 LC 55 0644S installation of conditioned air systems or forced air heating systems unless licensed to do984 so under this chapter.985 (g) This chapter shall not apply to low-voltage wiring performed by public utilities, except986 that such portion of the business of those public utilities whi ch involves the installation,987 alteration, repair, or service of telecommunication systems for profit shall be covered under988 this chapter.989 (h) This chapter shall not apply to the installation, construction, or maintenance of power990 systems or telecommunication systems for the generation or distribution of electric current991 constructed under the National Electrical Safety Code, which re gulates the safety992 requirements of utilities; but the interior wiring regulated by the National Electrical Safety993 Code would not be exempt and must be done by an electrical cont ractor except as994 otherwise provided by law.995 (i) This chapter shall not apply to any technician employed by a municipal or996 county-franchised community antenna television (CATV) system or a municipally owned997 community antenna television system in the performance of work on the system.998 (j) This chapter shall not apply to regular full-time employee s of an institution,999 manufacturer, or business who perform plumbing, electrical, low -voltage wiring, utility1000 contracting, or conditioned air contracting when working on the premises of that employer.1001 (k) This chapter shall not apply to persons licensed as manufa ctured or mobile home1002 installers by the state fire marshal when:1003 (1) Coupling the electrical connection from the service entran ce panel outside the1004 manufactured housing to the distribution panel board inside the manufactured housing;1005 (2) Connecting the exterior sewer outlets to the above-ground sewer system; or1006 (3) Connecting the exterior water line to the above-ground water system.1007 (l)(e) Any person qualified by the Department of Transportation to perform work for the1008 department shall not be required to be licensed under:1009 S. B. 125 - 39 - 25 LC 55 0644S (1) Code Section 43-14-8.2 43-14-10 or certified under Code Sections 43-14-8.31010 43-14-11 and 43-14-8.4 43-14-12 in order to perform work for the department. Any1011 person qualified by the Department of Transportation to perform work for the department1012 shall not be required to be licensed under; or1013 (2) Code Section 43-14-8.2 43-14-10 or certified under Code Sections 43-14-8.31014 43-14-11 and 43-14-8.4 43-14-12 in order to perform work for a county, municipality,1015 authority, or other political subdivision when such work is of the same nature as that for1016 which the person is qualified when performing department work; provided, however, that1017 such work is not performed on a utility system as defined in paragraph (17) (23) of Code1018 Section 43-14-2 for which the person receives compensation.1019 (m) This chapter shall not prohibit any person from installing , altering, or repairing the1020 plumbing component of a lawn sprinkler system from a backflow p reventer which was1021 installed by a licensed plumber; provided, however, that all su ch work must be done in1022 conformity with all other provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations of the board,1023 and ordinances of the county or municipality.1024 (n)(f) Any person who contracts with a licensed conditioned air contractor:1025 (1) As as part of a conditioned air contract to install, alter, or repair duct systems, control1026 systems, or insulation is not required to hold a license from the Division of Conditioned1027 Air Contractors. The conditioned air contractor must retain responsibility for completion1028 of the contract, including any subcontracted work.;1029 (2) To Any person who contracts with a licensed conditioned air contractor to perform1030 a complete installation, alteration, or repair of a conditioned air system must hold a valid1031 license from the Division of Conditioned Air Contractors.; or1032 (3) To Any person who contracts to perform for or on behalf of a conditioned air1033 contractor to install, alter, or repair electrical, low-voltage the installation, alteration, or1034 repair of the electrical, low voltage, or plumbing components of a conditioned air system1035 must hold a valid license from the appropriate division of the board.1036 S. B. 125 - 40 - 25 LC 55 0644S (o) This chapter shall not prohibit any propane dealer who is properly insured as required1037 by law and who holds a liquefied petroleum gas license issued b y the Safety Fire1038 Commissioner from installing, repairing, or servicing a propane system or the gas piping1039 or components of such system; provided, however, that such prop ane dealers shall be1040 prohibited from performing the installation of conditioned air systems or forced air heating1041 systems unless licensed to do so under this chapter.1042 (p) This chapter shall not apply to any employee or authorized agent of a regulated gas1043 utility or municipal owned gas utility while in the course and scope of such employment.1044 (q)(g) Any utility contractor holding a valid utility contractor's license under this chapter1045 shall be authorized to bid for and perform work on any utility system in this state without1046 obtaining a license under Chapter 41 of this title. It shall be unlawful for the owner of a1047 utility system or anyone soliciting work to be performed on a u tility system to refuse to1048 allow a utility contractor holding a valid utility contractor's license under this chapter to bid1049 for or perform work on a utility system on the basis that such contractor does not hold a1050 license under Chapter 41 of this title.1051 43-14-14 43-14-20.1052 Any person violating this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction1053 thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 $3,000.00 or imprisoned for not more than1054 six months, or both.1055 43-14-15 43-14-21.1056 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:1057 (1) 'Discharge' means an honorable discharge or a general discharge from active military1058 service. Such term shall not mean a discharge under other than honorable conditions, a1059 bad conduct discharge, or a dishonorable discharge.1060 S. B. 125 - 41 - 25 LC 55 0644S (2) 'Military' means the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the1061 armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard.1062 (b) A committee composed of the division director, members of the Governor's Office of1063 Workforce Development, and members of the relevant divisions of the licensing board1064 representing the profession for which the applicant is seeking a license shall determine the1065 military specialties or certifications the training or experience for which substantially meets1066 or exceeds the requirements to obtain a license for Electrical Contractor Class I,1067 Journeyman Plumber, Conditioned Ai r Contractor Class I, or Util ity Foreman. The1068 Governor shall designate a chairperson from among the members of the committee.1069 (c) Any current or former member of the military may apply to the licensing board for the1070 immediate expedited issuance of a license or certification based upon his or her h aving1071 obtained a military specialty or certification, the training or experience for which1072 substantially meets or exceeds the requirements to obtain a lic ense or certification1073 identified in subsection (b) of this Code section.1074 (d) In order to qualify under this subsection, an applicant shall make application not later1075 than two years after his or her discharge. The licensing board, in its discretion, may by rule1076 or regulation extend such two-year period for a license or certification, or class thereof, or1077 may extend such two-year period for an individual applicant if certain circumstances,1078 including, but not limited to, health, hospitalization, or othe r related emergencies or1079 exigencies, prevented the member of the military from making an application.1080 (e) Such application shall be in such form and shall require such documentation as the1081 division director shall determine. If the applicant satisfies t he requirements of this Code1082 section, the division director shall direct the appropriate division to issue the appropriate1083 license, and the division shall immediately issue such license; provided, however, that the1084 applicant shall satisfy all financial and insurance requirement s for the issuance of such1085 license. This Code section shall only apply to the initial issuance of a license. After the1086 S. B. 125 - 42 - 25 LC 55 0644S initial issuance of a license, the licensee shall be subject to any provisions relating to the1087 renewal of the license applicable to all licensees.1088 43-14-22.1089 The board may establish a process through rules and regulations for licenses issued under1090 this chapter to be placed on inactive status and the qualificat ions necessary for such1091 licenses to be returned to active status; provided, however, that engaging in any conduct1092 that requires a license under this chapter while holding an ina ctive license shall be1093 considered an unlicensed practice and shall be prohibited."1094 SECTION 1-2.1095 Said title is further by revising Code Section 43-15-9, relatin g to professional engineer1096 certificate of registration and eligibility, as follows:1097 "43-15-9.1098 To be eligible for a certificate of registration as a professional engineer, an applicant must1099 meet the following minimum requirements:1100 (1)(A) Obtain certification by the board as an engineer-in-training under paragraph (1)1101 of Code Section 43-15-8;1102 (B) Acquire a specific record of not less than four years' exp erience in engineering1103 work of a character satisfactory to the board which indicates the applicant is competent1104 to practice professional engineering; and1105 (C) Subsequently pass Pass a written examination in the principles and practice of1106 engineering (professional engineer's examination);1107 (2)(A) Obtain certification by the board as an engineer-in-training under paragraph (2)1108 of Code Section 43-15-8;1109 S. B. 125 - 43 - 25 LC 55 0644S (B) Acquire a specific record of not less than seven years' experience in engineering1110 work of a character satisfactory to the board which indicates the applicant is competent1111 to practice professional engineering; and1112 (C) Subsequently pass Pass a written examination in the principles and practice of1113 engineering (professional engineer's examination);1114 (3)(A) Obtain certification by the board as an engineer-in-training under paragraph (3)1115 of Code Section 43-15-8;1116 (B) Acquire a specific record of not less than seven years' experience in engineering1117 work of a character satisfactory to the board which indicates the applicant is competent1118 to practice professional engineering; and1119 (C) Subsequently pass Pass a written examination in the principles and practice of1120 engineering (professional engineer's examination); or1121 (4)(A) Graduate in an engineering or related science curriculum of not less than four1122 academic years;1123 (B) Acquire a specific record of not less than 16 years' experience in engineering work,1124 of which at least eight years have been in responsible charge of important engineering1125 work of a character satisfactory to the board, which indicates the applicant is competent1126 to practice professional engineering; and1127 (C) Subsequently pass Pass a written examination in the principles and practice of1128 engineering (professional engineer's examination)."1129 PART II1130 SECTION 2-1.1131 Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses,1132 is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:1133 S. B. 125 - 44 - 25 LC 55 0644S "43-1-4.1.1134 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:1135 (1) 'License' means any document, permit, certificate of regis tration, or other1136 authorization issued by or on behalf of a professional licensing board that is required for1137 a person to engage in a profession, business, or trade.1138 (2) 'Licensee' means any person who is required to be licensed or who is actually1139 licensed by a professional licensing board.1140 (b) The office of the Secretary of State, on behalf of all professional licensing boards under1141 its jurisdiction that require continuing education, shall estab lish a continuing education1142 tracking solution to monitor compliance of licensees with applicable continuing education1143 requirements and to determine whether a licensee is in full com pliance with such1144 requirements at the time of making application for license renewal. Such tracking solution1145 may be an off-premises hosted software-as-a-service application accessible through a1146 p u b l i c w e b s i t e . T h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e m a y c o n t r a c t w i t h t h i rd parties to implement,1147 integrate, or otherwise provide such tracking system.1148 (c) On and after January 1, 2026, a professional licensing board shall not renew a license1149 until the applicant has complied with all applicable continuing education requirements as1150 verified using the continuing education tracking solution required by subsection (b) of this1151 Code section. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a professional licensing board from1152 granting a waiver or imposing additional penalties as otherwise provided by law or by the1153 rules or regulations of the applicable board for failure to comply with continuing education1154 requirements.1155 (d) The professional licensing boards and the division directo r may adopt any rules and1156 regulations necessary to implement this Code section."1157 S. B. 125 - 45 - 25 LC 55 0644S PART III1158 SECTION 3-1.1159 Title 8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to buildings and housing, is1160 amended in:1161 (1) Code Section 8-2-26, relating to enforcement of codes gene rally, employment and1162 training of inspectors, and contr acts for administration and en forcement of codes, in1163 subparagraph (d)(2)(D), by replacing "paragraph (2) of subsecti on (b) of Code Section1164 43-14-12" with "paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of Code Section 43-14-16".1165 (2) Code Section 8-2-102, relating to inspections, in subsecti on (e), by replacing1166 "43-14-8.1" with "43-14-9".1167 SECTION 3-2.1168 Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commerce and trade, is1169 amended in:1170 (1) Code Section 10-5B-3, relating to rules to prohibit decept ive, fraudulent, or abusive1171 telemarketing activities authorized, in subsection (a), by replacing "low-voltage" with "low1172 voltage".1173 (2) Code Section 10-5B-4, relating to required and prohibited telephone conduct and1174 activities and liability, in subsection (a), by replacing "low-voltage" with "low voltage".1175 (3) Code Section 10-5B-5, relating to applicability to persons subject to other provisions1176 of the Code, in subsection (c), by replacing "low-voltage" with "low voltage".1177 (4) Code Section 10-5B-7, relating to remedies, duties, prohib itions, and penalties not1178 exclusive and construction with other provisions of the Code, i n subsection (b), by1179 replacing "low-voltage" with "low voltage".1180 S. B. 125 - 46 - 25 LC 55 0644S SECTION 3-3.1181 Title 36 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to local government, is amended1182 in Code Section 36-60-12.1, relating to fence detection systems, definition, and utilization,1183 by revising paragraph (b)(1) as follows:1184 "(1) Treat fence detection systems in all zoning and permitting matters exclusively as1185 alarm systems as such term is defined in paragraph (.1) of Code Section 43-14-2; and"1186 SECTION 3-4.1187 Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to professions and businesses,1188 is amended in:1189 (1) Code Section 43-41-2, rela ting to definitions r elative to residential and commercial1190 general contractors, in paragraph (3), by replacing "low-voltage" with "low voltage".1191 (2) Code Section 43-41-17, relating to effective date of licen sing and sanctioning1192 provisions, unenforceable contracts, compliance with county or municipal requirements,1193 exemption for DOT contractors, and other exceptions, in subsect ion (e), by replacing1194 "low-voltage" with "low voltage".1195 SECTION 3-5.1196 Title 46 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to public utilities and public1197 transportation, is amended in:1198 (1) Code Section 46-3-30, relating to short title, by replacing "High-voltage" with "High1199 Voltage".1200 (2) Code Section 46-3-31, relating to purpose of part, by repl acing "high-voltage" with1201 "high voltage".1202 (3) Code Section 46-3-32, relating to definitions, in paragrap h (1), by replacing1203 "High-voltage" with "High voltage" and in paragraphs (5) and (6 ), by replacing1204 "high-voltage" with "high voltage".1205 S. B. 125 - 47 - 25 LC 55 0644S (4) Code Section 46-3-33, relating to required conditions for commencing work within ten1206 feet of high-voltage line, in the introductory language and in paragraph (2), by replacing1207 "high-voltage" with "high voltage".1208 (5) Code Section 46-3-34, relating to utilities protection cen ter, funding of activities,1209 notice of work, delay, and responsibility for completing safety requirements, by replacing1210 "high-voltage" with "high voltage" each time the term appears.1211 (6) Code Section 46-3-35, relating to allocation of expense of precautionary measures1212 taken pursuant to public highway construction, by replacing "hi gh-voltage" with "high1213 voltage".1214 (7) Code Section 46-3-37, relating to applicability of part to railway systems and electrical1215 engineering system or other entities, in subsection (b), by rep lacing "high-voltage" with1216 "high voltage" both times the term appears.1217 (8) Code Section 46-3-39, relating to restriction on liability of owners and operators of1218 high-voltage lines and effect of part on duty or degree of care, by replacing "high-voltage"1219 with "high voltage" each time the term appears.1220 (9) Code Section 46-3-40, relating to criminal penalty, strict liability for injury or damage,1221 indemnification, and liability for cost of delay, by replacing "high-voltage" with "high1222 voltage" each time the term appears.1223 PART IV1224 SECTION 4-1.1225 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.1226 S. B. 125 - 48 -