Bill Description: Bill No. 337 would adopt the 2023 version of the National Electricity Code, with exceptions, create a residential electrician license, increase the current fine, and create state priority for regulations affecting electricians.
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Note: Bill 337 is a lengthy, 15-page bill that addresses many aspects of the regulation and licensing of electricians. While some of the changes in the bill are positive and some are negative, the fundamental problem with government-mandated professional licensing is clearly demonstrated by the length and scope of this bill. Rather than allowing training standards to be developed and reformed as needed by the free market, the government has chosen to manage—and often micromanage—the market by creating licensing agencies and mandates.
Does it increase barriers to entry into the market? Examples include professional licensing, minimum wages, and restrictions on home-based businesses. Conversely, does it remove barriers to entry into the market?
Bill 337 would repeal and replace Section 54-1001 of the Idaho Code, declaring that “the National Electrical Code of 2023, NFPA 70, together with any amendments, revisions, or changes made by the Idaho Electricity Board through negotiated rulemaking, shall collectively constitute and be called the Idaho Electricity Code.”
This is a change to the current (not due in 2023) National Electrical Code NFPA 70, with which Idaho regulations are required to be “substantially consistent.”
It is unclear what impact this change might have on the cost and complexity of electrical work being done in Idaho.
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Bill 337 would add “residential electricians” to the current levels of licensed electricians in Idaho, which include electrical contractors, apprentice electricians, professional electricians, temporary electricians, and limited electrical installers. Current law also provides for “registration of electrician apprentices and trainees.”
A residential electrician will be licensed to work in a “residential environment,” which the bill defines as “single (1) and two (2) family homes, and multi-family homes up to three (3) stories.”
The requirements to become a residential electrician will be less stringent than those required to become a skilled electrician, and the work experience required to become a residential electrician can also count toward the work experience requirements for a skilled electrician license.
While this bill would create a new level of professional licensing, it would not impose licensing requirements on individuals who can currently work without a license. It would make it easier for apprentices to advance by creating a level that requires less experience than a skilled electrician.
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Currently, electrical apprentices can renew their annual registrations an unlimited number of times, but Bill 337 would limit this possibility, stating that “no apprentice license shall be issued to any person for more than ten (10) one-year periods.”
This change will remove the option for someone who was happy working as an electrician apprentice to remain at that level.
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Bill 337 would amend Idaho Code Section 54-1010 to add that “the provisions of this section shall take precedence over, supersede, and prohibit any city, county, incorporated or unincorporated district, special use district, or other local governmental entity of any type from adopting requirements through any law, ordinance, process, policy, or guidance that differs from or is more comprehensive than the requirements of this section. The precedence provided for in this subsection shall apply to any local law, ordinance, process, policy, or guidance in effect before, on, or after July 1, 2023.”
This ruling prevents the imposition of additional local regulations that would further encroach on the free market.
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Does this directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, duties or other assessments? Conversely, does this eliminate or reduce any taxes, duties or other assessments?
House Bill 337 would amend Idaho Code Section 54-1017 to double the civil penalties, from $1,000 to $3,000, that can be imposed on an electrician, professional or related business for a regulatory violation.
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