The bill amends the Construction Industries Licensing Act to improve the regulation and efficiency of private inspection companies in New Mexico. It establishes licensing requirements for these companies, enabling them to provide inspection services for governments, contractors, and homeowners, thereby enhancing building safety and compliance with laws and codes. The bill mandates that certified building officials must be employed by private inspection companies to ensure qualified personnel conduct inspections. Additionally, it allows for the employment of state inspectors or contracts with private inspection companies for state inspections, promoting flexibility in the inspection process.

The legislation also introduces new regulations for contractors and private inspection companies, including a requirement for contractors to continue using the same inspection provider throughout the inspection process unless permission is granted to change. It establishes proof of responsibility for contractor license applicants, including a $10,000 bond for code violations. The bill outlines the licensing requirements for private inspection companies, which include employing a certified building official and demonstrating relevant experience. It also sets provisions for transparency, requiring memoranda of understanding and contracts between governments and private inspection companies to be publicly accessible on the division's website. Overall, the amendments aim to modernize the regulatory framework for construction inspections, ensuring compliance with safety standards and improving the construction process in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 60-13-1.1, 60-13-8, 60-13-11, 60-13-32, 60-13-42, 60-13-44, 60-13-45, 60-13-49