This bill seeks to improve the regulatory framework for electricians and HVACR professionals in Arkansas by implementing significant changes to licensing and inspection processes. It repeals the licenses for electrical contractors and air conditioning electricians, while upgrading the Class C HVACR license and clarifying annual licensing renewal periods. The bill introduces new license categories, such as "residential journeyman electrician" and "residential master electrician," and mandates eight hours of continuing education for these licensees during each new National Electrical Code cycle. Additionally, it increases penalties for violations from $250 to $1,000 per day and removes the grandfather clause that previously exempted certain applicants from examination requirements, ensuring that all electricians meet current standards.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections related to boiler inspections and elevator mechanics, including renaming the Boiler Inspection Division to the Boiler Inspection Section and updating the terminology throughout the legislation. It establishes a lien for inspection fees on boilers and their components, introduces administrative fines for non-compliance, and outlines requirements for boiler inspectors. The bill also allows for emergency elevator mechanic licenses and temporary licenses under specific circumstances, while prohibiting elevator inspectors from recommending specific businesses for services. Notably, HVACR Class C license holders will be automatically upgraded to Class B license holders by September 1, 2025, enabling them to perform a broader range of work.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB627 V2 - 4-7-2025 03:07 PM: 17-28-101(1), 17-28-102(c), 17-28-203(a), 17-28-301, 17-28-203, 04-07-2025, 17-28-311, 17-28-101, 17-28-302, 17-28-308, 17-28-309, 25-15-201, 20-31-101, 17-3-102, 17-28-310, 17-28-311(a), 17-33-101(8), 17-33-101(16), 17-33-103(b), 17-33-105(a), 17-33-202(7), 17-33-202(9), 17-33-204, 17-33-303, 17-33-101, 17-33-307, 17-55-101(c), 17-55-101(d), 17-55-103, 20-23-101(3), 20-23-103, 20-23-104, 20-23-105, 20-23-202, 20-23-203(a), 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, 20-23-307, 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, 20-24-106(a), 20-24-109, 20-24-108, 20-24-115(d), 20-24-110(c)
Old version SB627 Original - 4-3-2025 06:22 PM: 17-28-101(1), 17-28-102(c), 17-28-203(a), 17-28-301, 17-28-203, 17-28-311, 17-28-101, 17-28-302, 17-28-308, 17-28-309, 25-15-201, 20-31-101, 17-3-102, 17-28-310, 17-28-311(a), 17-33-101(8), 17-33-101(16), 17-33-103(b), 17-33-105(a), 17-33-202(7), 17-33-202(9), 17-33-204, 17-33-303, 17-33-101, 17-33-307, 17-55-101(c), 17-55-101(d), 17-55-103, 20-23-101(3), 20-23-103, 20-23-104, 20-23-105, 20-23-202, 20-23-203(a), 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, 20-23-307, 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, 20-24-106(a), 20-24-109, 20-24-108, 20-24-115(d), 20-24-110(c)
SB 627: 17-28-101(1), 17-28-102(c), 17-28-203(a), 17-28-301, 17-28-203, 17-28-311, 17-28-101, 17-28-302, 17-28-308, 17-28-309, 25-15-201, 20-31-101, 17-3-102, 17-28-310, 17-28-311(a), 17-33-101(8), 17-33-101(16), 17-33-103(b), 17-33-105(a), 17-33-202(7), 17-33-202(9), 17-33-204, 17-33-303, 17-33-101, 17-33-307, 17-55-101(c), 17-55-101(d), 17-55-103, 20-23-101(3), 20-23-103, 20-23-104, 20-23-105, 20-23-202, 20-23-203(a), 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, 20-23-307, 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, 20-24-106(a), 20-24-109, 20-24-108, 20-24-115(d), 20-24-110(c)
Act 746: 17-28-101(1), 17-28-102(c), 17-28-203(a), 17-28-301, 17-28-203, 04-07-2025, 17-28-311, 17-28-101, 17-28-302, 17-28-308, 17-28-309, 25-15-201, 20-31-101, 17-3-102, 17-28-310, 17-28-311(a), 17-33-101(8), 17-33-101(16), 17-33-103(b), 17-33-105(a), 17-33-202(7), 17-33-202(9), 17-33-204, 17-33-303, 17-33-101, 17-33-307, 17-55-101(c), 17-55-101(d), 17-55-103, 20-23-101(3), 20-23-103, 20-23-104, 20-23-105, 20-23-202, 20-23-203(a), 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, 20-23-307, 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, 20-24-106(a), 20-24-109, 20-24-108, 20-24-115(d), 20-24-110(c)