The proposed legislation establishes the Code Enforcement Licensing Board, which consolidates the responsibilities of several existing boards, including the Board of Electrical Examiners, HVACR Licensing Board, Arkansas Fire Protection Licensing Board, Elevator Safety Board, and the Committee of Plumbing Examiners. These boards will be abolished, and their duties, functions, records, and resources will be transferred to the new board. The bill ensures that existing orders, rules, and standards from the abolished boards remain in effect until amended or repealed. It also introduces a new fund, the Code Enforcement Licensing Board Fund, to manage revenue from licensing and regulatory activities.

Key amendments include the introduction of new license classifications for electricians and HVACR workers, updates to licensing examination fees, and modifications to the renewal process, reducing the renewal period from two or three years to one year. The bill also establishes new provisions for the registration and supervision of electrical apprentices, allows for temporary licenses for electricians, and clarifies civil penalties for violations. Additionally, it outlines the powers and duties of the Code Enforcement Licensing Board, including the ability to adopt rules for the administration of various trades, ensuring compliance with updated standards and enhancing public safety. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, to facilitate a smooth transition.

Statutes affected:
SB 493: 17-28-101(1), 17-28-101(12), 17-28-102(c), 17-28-103, 17-28-201, 17-30-101, 25-16-901, 17-28-202, 17-55-101, 20-31-101, 17-28-203(a), 17-28-204, 25-15-201, 17-28-301, 17-28-203, 17-28-311, 17-28-101, 17-28-302, 17-28-303, 17-28-305(b), 17-28-306, 17-28-307(a), 17-28-308, 17-28-309, 17-3-102, 17-28-310, 17-28-312(b), 17-33-101(8), 17-33-101(16), 17-33-103(b), 17-33-105(a), 17-33-201(a), 17-33-202, 17-33-203, 17-33-204, 17-33-205, 17-33-302(a), 17-33-303, 17-33-101, 17-33-304, 17-33-305, 17-33-306, 17-33-307, 17-33-308(c), 17-38-101(3), 17-38-101(4), 17-38-102(b), 17-38-102(d), 17-38-102(e), 17-38-103(a), 17-38-104(a), 17-38-105(4), 17-38-201, 17-38-202, 17-38-203(a), 17-38-204(a), 17-38-204(f), 17-38-204(h), 17-38-205, 19-6-417, 17-38-301(a), 17-38-302(4), 17-38-303, 17-38-304, 17-38-305, 17-38-306, 17-38-307, 17-38-308, 17-38-309, 17-38-310, 17-38-311, 17-38-402(2), 17-40-103(a), 20-31-104, 17-55-103, 17-55-104, 17-55-105(b), 17-55-106, 19-5-1242, 20-22-601, 19-6-301(25), 19-6-301(72), 19-6-301, 17-33-201, 19-6-301(64), 17-38-204, 17-38-101, 19-6-469, 20-22-602(1), 20-22-602(6), 20-22-603(5), 20-22-604(a), 20-22-605(a), 20-22-606, 20-22-607, 20-22-608, 20-22-609(8), 20-22-610(a), 20-22-610(b), 20-22-611(a), 20-22-612, 20-22-613(a), 20-23-101(3), 20-23-101, 20-23-103, 20-23-104, 20-23-105, 20-23-202, 20-23-203(c), 20-23-301, 20-23-203, 20-23-306, 20-23-310, 20-23-401, 20-23-402, 20-23-302, 20-23-304, 20-23-305, 20-23-203(a), 20-23-307, 20-23-308, 20-23-311, 20-23-312, 20-23-314, 20-23-401(a), 20-23-401(f), 20-23-404, 20-23-405, 20-23-309, 20-23-406, 20-23-407, 20-24-101(2), 20-24-101(11), 20-24-103, 20-24-104, 20-24-116, 20-24-105, 20-24-106(a), 20-24-107(a), 20-24-108(a), 20-24-109, 20-24-108, 20-24-115(d), 20-24-110(c), 20-24-111, 20-24-112(a), 20-24-113(a), 20-24-114, 20-24-115(a), 20-24-116(c), 20-24-119(a), 20-31-104(a), 20-31-104(f), 20-31-105(c), 25-15-104(a), 25-16-903(17), 25-16-903(22), 25-16-903(25), 25-16-903(51), 25-16-903(54), 25-43-802(a), 25-43-1102(a)