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Building Contractor License Delay Sought

February 10, 2010 - AUGUSTA -- More than 20 bills to license Maine contractors have been rejected by the Legislature, but some lawmakers say this is the year to enact a licensing bill, before a statewide building code takes effect this summer.

Rep. Bruce MacDonald, D-Boothbay, said the lack of a statewide code has made passing such legislation impossible.

On Tuesday, he introduced an amendment to his bill, L.D. 272, to delay all licensing until July 2012 to allow the statewide code to take effect.

The amendment also would exempt "specialty contractors" such as roofers from mandatory licensing. The licensing would apply to builders of homes.

McDonald's amendment also would require members of a new licensing board to convene before considering applicants. The board would meet as early as July 1, 2011, if the legislation were enacted.

The amendment would authorize the board to decide how the universal building codes would relate to licensing, and how to define "specialty contractors."

The building code will create a standard by which contractors can be measured, lawmakers and officials said. The licensing board would consist of 10 members, including four home contractors with at least five years' experience each.

The cost of an annual license would be up to $350 for individuals or businesses. Builders working on personal properties or properties owned by direct family members wouldn't have to be licensed.

Contractors would have to have at least two years' combined experience or relevant education, and pass an examination that the board would develop. Applications are also likely to include criminal history and financial disclosures, MacDonald said, and address the potential for scams or shoddy craftsmanship.

In 2007, the attorney general's consumer protection hotline got more complaints about home builders than any other profession – 459, of which 160 became formal. Only 25 percent of the complaints were resolved, MacDonald told the Business, Research and Economic Development Committee on Tuesday.

Sen. Elizabeth Schneider, D-Orono, co-chairman of the committee, said that although licensing boards are self-sufficient once they're established, the panel could require as much as $500,000 to set up.

L.D. 272 was carried over from the last legislative session. A public hearing was held in the spring. With the amendment, however, the committee wants to hold a second public hearing.

By ETHAN WILENSKY-LANFORD, Kennebec Journal February 10, 2010

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