THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2297
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to electrical contractors.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that most in-state electrical workers are experienced in low voltage work, which includes wiring buildings at one hundred twenty/two hundred forty volts. High voltage electrical work requires highly trained and skilled electrical workers. In the event of a catastrophic occurrence requiring electrical workers who possess that level of skill, Hawaii must import such workers from the mainland since there are not enough electricians, splicers, and linemen in the State who are experienced and qualified to work with high voltage and who could respond in the event of a catastrophic occurrence or complex maintenance work affecting an electric utility.

The legislature further finds that Act 35, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, established new minimum qualification licensing requirements for electricians effective July 1, 2013. One of the unintended consequences of Act 35 was that because the high voltage electrical workers from the mainland are usually not licensed as electricians in Hawaii, they are prohibited from being contracted by electric utilities in the State to perform the work.

The legislature further finds that Act 65, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, provides a limited exemption to the licensing requirements for certain individuals in situations when an electric utility must retain qualified individuals to work with high voltage (six hundred volts or higher) who are not licensed in the State but are otherwise deemed qualified by the electric utility. However, Act 65 sunsets on June 30, 2018.

The purpose of this Act is to extend the sunset date of Act 65, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013.

SECTION 2. Act 65, Session Laws of Hawaii 2013, is amended by amending section 4 to read as follows:

"SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that on June 30, [2018,] 2023, this Act shall be repealed and section 448E-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day before the effective date of this Act."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on June 29, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Electrical Contractors; Licensing; Exemptions; High Voltage

Description:

Extends the sunset date of Act 65, SLH 2013, which provides a limited exemption to the licensing requirements for certain individuals in situations when an electric utility must retain qualified individuals to work with high voltage (six hundred volts or higher) who are not licensed in the State but are otherwise deemed qualified by the electric utility.

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