HB 887: Patriots in Trades Act; enact

House Bill 887

By: Representatives Stephens of the 164th, Sainz of the 180th, Hitchens of the 161st, and Ballard of the 147th

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

To amend Chapters 14 and 41 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors and residential and commercial general contractors, respectively, so as to revise provisions relating to the issuance of certain professional licenses based on specialties or certifications obtained during service in the military; to provide for the issuance of additional professional licenses based on such specialties or certifications; to streamline the process of identifying such specialties or certifications that qualify for the issuances of such licenses; to provide a short title; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Patriots in Trades Act."

SECTION 2.

Chapter 14 of Title 41 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to electrical contractors, plumbers, conditioned air contractors, low-voltage contractors, and utility contractors, is amended by revising Code Section 43-41-15, relating to certain military certifications entitle persons to obtain certain professional licenses, as follows:

"43-14-15.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) 'Discharge' means an honorable discharge or a general discharge from active military service. Such term shall not mean a discharge under other than honorable conditions, a bad conduct discharge, or a dishonorable discharge.

(2) 'Military' means the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard.

(b) A committee composed of the division director, members of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development, and members of the No later than January 1, 2026, each division of the board shall determine relevant divisions of the licensing board representing the profession for which the applicant is seeking a license shall determine the military any specialties or certifications obtainable in the military, the training, or experience, and testing for which substantially meets or exceeds the requirements to obtain a any license or certificate under this chapter except for any requirement that the necessary experience or training be obtained under the employment or direction of a person licensed in this state. for Electrical Contractor Class I, Journeyman Plumber, Conditioned Air Contractor Class I, or Utility Foreman. The Governor shall designate a chairperson from among the members of the committee Such specialties or certifications shall be compiled in a list that is published on the public website of the Secretary of State. Beginning in calendar year 2027, and at least annually thereafter, such divisions shall review such list and determine whether revisions are needed, including, without limitation, whether any additional such specialties or certifications shall be included on such list.

(c) Any current or former member of the military may apply to the licensing board for the immediate issuance of a license or certification certificate under this chapter based upon his or her having obtained a military specialty or certification during his or her service in the military, the training or experience for which substantially meets or exceeds the requirements to obtain a license or certification that is identified in by the relevant division of the board pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section as requiring training, experience, and testing that meets or exceeds the requirements under this chapter to obtain such license or certificate. In order to qualify for a license or certificate under this subsection, an applicant shall make an application not later than two four years after his or her discharge. The licensing board, in its discretion, may, by rule or regulation, extend such two-year four-year period for a any license or certification, or class thereof, under this chapter or may extend such two-year four-year period for an individual applicant if certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, health, hospitalization, or other related emergencies or exigencies, prevented the member of the military individual from making an application within such time period. Such application shall be in such form and shall require such documentation as the division director shall determine. If the applicant satisfies the requirements of this Code section, the division director shall direct the appropriate division of the board to issue the appropriate license or certificate, and the such division of the board shall immediately issue such license or certificate; provided, however, that the applicant shall satisfy all financial and insurance requirements for the issuance of such license or certificate. This Code section shall only apply to the initial issuance of a license or certificate under this chapter. After the initial issuance of a such license certificate, the licensee individual holding such license or certificate shall be subject to any provisions of this title relating to the renewal of the such license or certificate applicable to all licensees."

SECTION 3.

Chapter 41 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to residential and commercial general contractors, is amended by revising Code Section 43-41-18, relating to certain military specialties or certifications entitle persons to obtain certain professional licenses, as follows:

"43-41-18.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) 'Discharge' means an honorable discharge or a general discharge from active military service. Such term shall not mean a discharge under other than honorable conditions, a bad conduct discharge, or a dishonorable discharge.

(2) 'Military' means the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard.

(b) A committee composed of the division director, members of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development, and members of the licensing No later than January 1, 2026, the board representing the profession of residential light-commercial contracting shall determine the military any specialties or certifications obtainable in the military, the training, experience, and testing for which substantially meet or exceed the requirements to obtain a residential light-commercial contractor's any license under this chapter except for any requirement that the necessary experience or training be obtained under the employment or direction of a person licensed in this state. Such specialties or certifications shall be compiled in a list that is published on the public website of the Secretary of State. Beginning in calendar year 2027, and at least annually thereafter, the board shall review such list and determine whether revisions are needed, including, without limitation, whether any additional such specialties or certifications shall be included on such list. The Governor shall designate a chairperson from among the membership of the committee.

(c) Any current or former member of the military may apply to the licensing board for the immediate issuance of a license or certification under this chapter based upon his or her having obtained a military specialty or certification during his or her service in the military that is identified by the board pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section as requiring training, experience, and testing that the training or experience for which substantially meets or exceeds the requirements to obtain a residential light-commercial contractor's such license. In order to qualify for a license under this subsection, an applicant shall make an application not later than 180 days four years after his or her discharge. The board, in its discretion, may, by rule or regulation, extend such four-year period for any license under this chapter or may extend such four-year period for an individual applicant if certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, health, hospitalization, or other related emergencies or exigencies prevented the individual from making an application within such time period. Such application shall be in such form and shall require such documentation as the division director shall determine. If the applicant satisfies the requirements of this Code section, the division director shall direct the appropriate division of the board to issue the license, and such division of the board shall immediately issue such license; provided, however, that the applicant shall satisfy all financial and insurance requirements for the issuance of such license. This Code section shall only apply to the initial issuance of a license under this chapter. After the initial issuance of a license, the licensee shall be subject to any provisions of this title relating to the renewal of the such license applicable to all licensees."

SECTION 4.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.