Senate Bill 25-165 Introduced

A Bill for an Act

• Page 1, Line 101Concerning electrical work regulated in the state.

Bill Summary

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)

Section 1 of the bill amends a definition and adds new definitions under the electricians' practice act.

Current law requires an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license or a residential wireman's license to provide evidence of having certain minimum years of apprenticeship experience, accredited training, or practical experience. For the purpose of these requirements, section 2 allows an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license to have a minimum of 8,000 hours, as an alternative to 4 years, of certain apprenticeship or practical experience and an applicant for a residential wireman's license to have a minimum of 4,000 hours, as an alternative to 2 years, of certain practical experience.

Current law allows an applicant for a journeyman electrician's license or a residential wireman's license to substitute for required practical experience evidence of academic training or practical experience in the electrical field. Section 2 also allows an applicant to also substitute evidence of training in photovoltaic systems installation. However, section 2 also states that the state electrical board (board) may, but is no longer required to, provide work experience credit for academic training, military training, photovoltaic systems installation training, or substantially similar training.

Current law requires that, for all applicants seeking work experience credit toward licensure, the board give credit for electrical work that is not required to be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed electrician if the applicant can show that the experience or supervision is adequate. Section 3 allows the board to give the credit, but it is not required to do so.

Section 4 requires that, for an apprentice who holds a residential wireman's license, an electrical contractor, an apprenticeship program, or a state apprenticeship agency that employs the apprentice must report qualifying years or hours of work experience only for commercial, industrial, or substantially similar work. Section 4 also allows an individual who possesses an active residential wireman's or master electrician's license to not take the journeyman electrician license examination.

Section 5 requires the department of regulatory agencies to:

• Uphold the rules and regulations of the current edition of the national electrical code, including applying the code to certain equipment;
• Cooperate with utilities to maintain safe clearances and safe working distances for the utilities based on the current edition of the national electrical code; and
• Allow each utility to install its proper metering equipment with the assistance of qualified electrical personnel.
• Participate in an apprenticeship program registered with the United States department of labor's office of apprenticeship or a state apprenticeship agency recognized by the United States department of labor (registered apprenticeship program); and
• Have a proven record of graduating apprentices.
• Stating that neither the public utilities commission nor a utility is responsible for monitoring or enforcing compliance with statutory requirements concerning solar photovoltaic installations (installations); and
• Requiring a qualifying retail utility to obtain and retain all documentation submitted in connection with an installation.
• Comply with electrical permitting requirements and be performed by an electrical contractor;
• Include a contemporaneous review of the work; and
• Be subject to compliance checks by state electrical inspectors or individuals appointed by the director of the division of professions and occupations in the department of regulatory agencies.

Current law requires that the contract for any public works project that does not receive federal money in an amount of $1,000,000 or more require the general contractor or other entity to submit documentation to the agency that certifies that all firms identified:

Current law allows for photovoltaic installations with a direct current design capacity of less than 300 kilowatts, the performance of all photovoltaic electrical work, the installation of photovoltaic modules, and the installation of photovoltaic module mounting equipment (applicable work) to be subject to on-site supervision by a certified photovoltaic energy practitioner designated by the NABCEP. Section 6 requires that the photovoltaic energy practitioner is also working for a contractor that is not a registered electrical contractor; is registered with the department of regulatory agencies as a photovoltaic installer no later than December 31, 2025; is a business in good standing with the state; and employs a NABCEP PV installation professional.

Section 6 also removes language:

Section 6 also defines "photovoltaic electrical work" as electrical work performed on a photovoltaic system that is covered electrical work in accordance with the national electrical code.

Section 7 addresses photovoltaic electrical work for installations of at least 300 kilowatts, requiring that the work must:

• Page 3, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

• Page 3, Line 2SECTION 1.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-103, amend (3); and add (7.5), (7.7), and (9.5) as follows:

• Page 3, Line 312-115-103.  Definitions. As used in this article 115, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 3, Line 4(3)  "Electric light, heat, and power" means the standard types of

• Page 3, Line 5electricity that are supplied by an electric utility, regardless of whether the

• Page 3, Line 6source is an electric utility or the inverter output circuit of a photovoltaic

• Page 4, Line 1system, direct-current lighting system, or a similar circuit from another

• Page 4, Line 2type of renewable energy system or electric vehicle charging

• Page 4, Line 3infrastructure, and used and consumed in a real estate improvement or

• Page 4, Line 4real estate fixture regulated in accordance with the national electrical code, excluding chapter 8, "communication systems".

• Page 4, Line 5(7.5)  "NABCEP" means the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

• Page 4, Line 6(7.7)  "NABCEP PV installation professional" means an

• Page 4, Line 7individual who is certified by the NABCEP to install photovoltaic systems.

• Page 4, Line 8(9.5)  "PV installation training" means training concerning

• Page 4, Line 9photovoltaic systems installation practices described in the "PV

• Page 4, Line 10Installation Professional Job Task Analysis" document published by the NABCEP.

• Page 4, Line 11SECTION 2.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-110, amend

• Page 4, Line 12(2)(a)(I), (2)(a)(II), (2)(b) introductory portion, (2)(b)(II), (3)(a), (3)(b) introductory portion, and (3)(b)(II); and add (6) as follows:

• Page 4, Line 1312-115-110.  License requirements - rules - continuing

• Page 4, Line 14education - repeal. (2)  Journeyman electrician. (a)  An applicant for

• Page 4, Line 15a journeyman electrician's license shall furnish written evidence that the applicant has had the following:

• Page 4, Line 16(I)  At least four years' or eight thousand hours' apprenticeship

• Page 4, Line 17in the electrical trade or four years' or eight thousand hours' practical

• Page 4, Line 18experience in wiring for, installing, and repairing electrical apparatus and equipment for electric light, heat, and power;

• Page 4, Line 19(II)  At least two of the applicant's years' years or four

• Page 4, Line 20thousand hours of the applicant's experience required by subsection

• Page 5, Line 1(2)(a)(I) of this section has been in commercial, industrial, or substantially similar work; and

• Page 5, Line 2(b)  An applicant shall be permitted to may substitute for required

• Page 5, Line 3practical experience evidence of academic training or practical experience in the electrical field, which shall be is credited as follows:

• Page 5, Line 4(II)  If the applicant has academic training, including military

• Page 5, Line 5training or PV installation training, that does not qualify under

• Page 5, Line 6subsection (2)(b)(I) of this section, the board shall may provide work

• Page 5, Line 7experience credit for the training or for substantially similar training established by rule.

• Page 5, Line 8(3)  Residential wireman. (a)  An applicant for a residential

• Page 5, Line 9wireman's license shall furnish written evidence that the applicant has at

• Page 5, Line 10least two years of accredited training or two years or four thousand

• Page 5, Line 11hours of practical experience in wiring one-, two-, three-, and four-family dwellings.

• Page 5, Line 12(b)  An applicant shall be permitted to may substitute for required

• Page 5, Line 13practical experience evidence of academic training in the electrical field, which shall be is credited as follows:

• Page 5, Line 14(II)  If the applicant has academic training, including military

• Page 5, Line 15training or PV installation training, that is not sufficient to qualify

• Page 5, Line 16under subsection (3)(b)(I) of this section, the board shall may provide

• Page 5, Line 17work experience credit for the training according to a uniform ratio established by rule.

• Page 5, Line 18(6) (a)  For the purposes of subsections (2)(a)(I) and (3)(a) of

• Page 5, Line 19this section, until July 1, 2029, an applicant earns practical experience by working:

• Page 5, Line 20(I)  Two thousand hours as an NABCEP PV installation professional;

• Page 6, Line 1(II)  Up to two thousand hours as an apprentice to an

• Page 6, Line 2NABCEP PV installation professional, so long as the supervising

• Page 6, Line 3NABCEP PV installation professional provides proof of the

• Page 6, Line 4applicant's employment and an affidavit attesting that the applicant earned the hours as an apprentice; or

• Page 6, Line 5(III)  Up to four thousand hours as an NABCEP PV

• Page 6, Line 6installation professional, if the applicant submits additional

• Page 6, Line 7documentation to the board, including payroll records, work

• Page 6, Line 8orders, project descriptions, or other relevant materials that

• Page 6, Line 9document significant solar industry work that qualifies as

• Page 6, Line 10electrical hours. The board shall review the documentation

• Page 6, Line 11and determine how many hours of practical experience the

• Page 6, Line 12applicant earns beyond the two thousand hours permitted by subsection (6)(a)(I) of this section.

• Page 6, Line 13(b)  For every two hours that an applicant works as

• Page 6, Line 14described in subsection (6)(a)(II) or (6)(a)(III) of this section, the

• Page 6, Line 15applicant earns one hour for the purposes of subsections (2)(a)(I) and (3)(a) of this section.

• Page 6, Line 16(c)  This subsection (6) is repealed, effective August 1, 2034.

• Page 6, Line 17SECTION 3.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 12-115-111 as follows:

• Page 6, Line 1812-115-111.  Credit for experience not subject to supervision

• Page 6, Line 19of a licensed electrician. For all applicants seeking work experience

• Page 6, Line 20credit toward licensure, the board shall may give credit for electrical

• Page 6, Line 21work that is not required to be performed by or under the supervision of

• Page 6, Line 22a licensed electrician if the applicant can show that the particular

• Page 7, Line 1experience received or the supervision under which the work has been performed is adequate.

• Page 7, Line 2SECTION 4.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-115, amend (4)(a); and add (3)(d) as follows:

• Page 7, Line 312-115-115.  Apprentices - supervision - registration -

• Page 7, Line 4discipline - rules. (3) (d)  For an apprentice who holds an active

• Page 7, Line 5residential wireman's license, an electrical contractor, an

• Page 7, Line 6apprenticeship program registered with the United States

• Page 7, Line 7department of labor's office of apprenticeship, or a state

• Page 7, Line 8apprenticeship agency recognized by the United States

• Page 7, Line 9department of labor that employs the apprentice in this state

• Page 7, Line 10shall report qualifying years or hours of work experience only

• Page 7, Line 11for commercial, industrial, or substantially similar work, as required by section 12-115-110 (2)(a)(II).

• Page 7, Line 12(4)  On and after January 1, 2021, contingent on the availability of

• Page 7, Line 13existing resources within the department or the receipt of gifts, grants, and donations pursuant to subsection (7) of this section:

• Page 7, Line 14(a) (I)  An apprentice who has been registered for at least six years,

• Page 7, Line 15has completed eight thousand hours of practical training, and meets all

• Page 7, Line 16other journeyman electrician license requirements specified in section

• Page 7, Line 1712-115-110, and does not possess an active residential wireman's

• Page 7, Line 18or master electrician's license shall take the journeyman electrician

• Page 7, Line 19license examination at least every three years in alignment with the license renewal cycle until the apprentice receives a passing score.

• Page 7, Line 20(II)  If an apprentice has failed to pass the license examination in

• Page 7, Line 21two consecutive three-year periods, the apprentice may request an

• Page 7, Line 22exemption from the board from future examination requirements. The

• Page 8, Line 1board shall grant the exemption if the board determines that the

• Page 8, Line 2apprentice has legitimate educational or professional circumstances that

• Page 8, Line 3justify the exemption. The board shall promulgate adopt rules

• Page 8, Line 4concerning the process of requesting and approving license examination exemptions.

• Page 8, Line 5SECTION 5.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 12-115-125 as follows:

• Page 8, Line 612-115-125.  Duties of department relating to electrical work. (1)  The department shall:

• Page 8, Line 7(a)  Uphold the rules and regulations of the current

• Page 8, Line 8edition of the national electrical code in its entirety, including

• Page 8, Line 9applying the code to all equipment from the point at which

• Page 8, Line 10service transformers generate voltage to usable systems for

• Page 8, Line 11consumers, including all associated wiring; risers, whether overhead or underground; and metering systems;

• Page 8, Line 12(b)  Cooperate with utilities to maintain safe clearances

• Page 8, Line 13and safe working distances for the utilities based on the current edition of the national electrical code; and

• Page 8, Line 14(c)  Allow each utility to install its proper metering equipment with the assistance of qualified electrical personnel.

• Page 8, Line 15(2)  All equipment is subject to inspection by an authority having jurisdiction to perform electrical inspections.

• Page 8, Line 16SECTION 6.   In Colorado Revised Statutes, 40-2-128, amend (1)(a)(I)(A) and (2)(a)(I); repeal (1)(a)(II); and add (2)(a.5) as follows:

• Page 8, Line 1740-2-128.  Solar photovoltaic installations - supervision -

• Page 8, Line 18qualifications of electrical contractors - definitions. (1)  For all

• Page 8, Line 19photovoltaic installations allowed under section 40-2-124 with a direct current design capacity of less than three hundred kilowatts:

• Page 9, Line 1(a) (I) (A)  The performance of all photovoltaic electrical work, the

• Page 9, Line 2installation of photovoltaic modules, and the installation of photovoltaic

• Page 9, Line 3module mounting equipment is subject to on-site supervision by a

• Page 9, Line 4certified photovoltaic energy practitioner, as designated by the North

• Page 9, Line 5American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and that

• Page 9, Line 6is working for a photovoltaic installer, or a licensed master

• Page 9, Line 7electrician, licensed journeyman electrician, or licensed residential wireman, as those terms are defined in section 12-115-103.

• Page 9, Line 8(II)  Neither the commission nor the utility shall have

• Page 9, Line 9responsibility for monitoring or enforcing compliance with this section.

• Page 9, Line 10It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to obtain the information

• Page 9, Line 11required by subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a), and it shall be the

• Page 9, Line 12responsibility of the qualifying retail utility to obtain from the applicant

• Page 9, Line 13and retain, for at least one year after completion of the installation, copies

• Page 9, Line 14of all documentation submitted by the applicant in connection with the installation.

• Page 9, Line 15(2)  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

• Page 9, Line 16(a) (I)  "Photovoltaic electrical work" means wiring, grounding, or

• Page 9, Line 17repairing electrical apparatus and equipment in a photovoltaic distributed

• Page 9, Line 18generation system means electrical work performed on a

• Page 9, Line 19photovoltaic system that is covered electrical work in

• Page 9, Line 20accordance with the national electrical code, including

• Page 9, Line 21articles 100, 690, 90.2 (1), and 90.2 (3) of the national electrical code.

• Page 9, Line 22(a.5)  "Photovoltaic installer" means a contractor that:

• Page 9, Line 23(I)  Is not a registered electrical contractor, as defined in section 12-115-103 (4);

• Page 10, Line 1(II)  Is registered with the department of regulatory

• Page 10, Line 2agencies as a photovoltaic installer no later than December 31, 2025;

• Page 10, Line 3(III)  Is a business in good standing with the state; and

• Page 10, Line 4(IV)  Employs a NABCEP PV installation professional, as defined in section 12-115-103 (7.7).

• Page 10, Line 5SECTION 7.  In Colorado Revised Statutes, 12-115-107, amend (2)(f) as follows:

• Page 10, Line 612-115-107.  Board powers and duties - rules - definitions.

• Page 10, Line 7(2)  In addition to all other powers and duties conferred or imposed upon the board by this article 115, the board is authorized to:

• Page 10, Line 8(f) (I)  Regulate a licensed master electrician, journeyman

• Page 10, Line 9electrician, or residential wireman who, acting within his or her their

• Page 10, Line 10scope of competence, supervises a solar photovoltaic installation pursuant to section 40-2-128.

• Page 10, Line 11(II)  On and after January 1, 2020, All photovoltaic electrical work

• Page 10, Line 12for installations of at least three hundred kilowatts, including the

• Page 10, Line 13interconnection of the modules, grounding of the modules, any balance

• Page 10, Line 14of system wiring, and the customer-side point of connection to the utility grid, must:

• Page 10, Line 15(A)  Be performed by a licensed master electrician, licensed

• Page 10, Line 16journeyman electrician, licensed residential wireman, or properly supervised electrical apprentices; and must

• Page 10, Line 17(B)  Comply with all applicable requirements of this article 115,

• Page 10, Line 18including sections 12-115-109 and 12-115-115, and all applicable rules

• Page 10, Line 19of the board;

• Page 11, Line 1(C)  Comply with electrical permitting requirements and

• Page 11, Line 2must be performed by an electrical contractor pursuant to section 12-115-120;

• Page 11, Line 3(D)  Include a contemporaneous review pursuant to

• Page 11, Line 4section 12-115-120 (10) to ensure that the requirements of this article 115 have been met; and

• Page 11, Line 5(E)  Be subject to compliance checks by a state electrical

• Page 11, Line 6inspector or an individual appointed by the director to perform

• Page 11, Line 7compliance checks pursuant to section 12-115-119. Compliance

• Page 11, Line 8checks performed under this section must be consistent with the national electrical code and state and local electrical codes.

• Page 11, Line 9(III) (A)  As used in this section, "photovoltaic electrical

• Page 11, Line 10work" means electrical work performed on a photovoltaic

• Page 11, Line 11system that is covered electrical work in accordance with the

• Page 11, Line 12national electrical code, including articles 100, 690, 90.2 (1), and 90.2 (3) of the national electrical code.

• Page 11, Line 13(B)  "Photovoltaic electrical work" includes the

• Page 11, Line 14preinstallation assembly of photovoltaic modules to

• Page 11, Line 15photovoltaic module mounting equipment for installation on site.

• Page 11, Line 16(C)  "Photovoltaic electrical work" does not include site

• Page 11, Line 17preparation, trenching or excavating, hauling, or other work

• Page 11, Line 18that is not specifically described in subsection (2)(f)(III)(A) or (2)(f)(III)(B) of this section.

• Page 11, Line 19SECTION 8.  Act subject to petition - effective date. This act

• Page 11, Line 20takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the

• Page 11, Line 21ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except

• Page 12, Line 1that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V

• Page 12, Line 2of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this

• Page 12, Line 3act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take

• Page 12, Line 4effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in

• Page 12, Line 5November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.