SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4247

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 6, 2021

      The Senate Labor Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4247.

      This bill updates current law governing the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors by moving the board from the jurisdiction of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.  Current registrants designated as qualified journeyman electricians are renamed “Class A journeyman electricians” and are to be licensed.  Language in the bill is updated to recognize the change in the name of this level of the profession and to acknowledge that that the registrants are to be licensed now instead of registered.  Additional classes of licensees – Class A electrical apprentices and Class B wiremen – are also incorporated under the bill. 

      Provisions are added to current law that would allow professionals licensed in other states or jurisdictions to come to New Jersey and provide services under a temporary license. The temporary license is to only be issued once to the same individual each triennial renewal period. However, it is stipulated that if the services are to be provided for a period of time beyond 30 days, the out-of-State individual is to seek full licensure from the board. Language is also added that gives the board discretion to license individuals licensed in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia without examination if reciprocity is granted to by board licensees in the other state, territory or possession.

      The bill grants current qualified journeyman electricians registered with the board a year after enactment of the bill to exchange the registration for a license as a Class A journeyman electrician with the board. After that one year, the individual will have to apply to be the board to receive the Class A journeyman electrician license. Providing services with a registration as a qualified journeyman electrician after the one year will be deemed unlicensed practice under the bill. Lastly, language is added regarding penalties for any violations of the law. This includes allowing the board to file for injunctive or any other appropriate relief. The board is granted, under the bill, to assess a $2,500 administrative penalty for a first offense and a $5,000 administrative penalty for a second or any subsequent offense. Additional penalties are also assessed, under the bill, if there is a failure to pay these administrative penalties.