HOUSE BILL NO. 1118 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 11, 2006 A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; Board for Contractors; issuance of license. ---------- Patron-- Athey ---------- Referred to Committee on General Laws ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 54.1-1102 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 54.1-1102. Board for Contractors membership; offices; meetings; seal; record.

A. The Board for Contractors shall be composed of thirteen members as follows: one member shall be a licensed Class A general contractor; the larger part of the business of one member shall be the construction of utilities; the larger part of the business of one member shall be the construction of commercial and industrial buildings; the larger part of the business of one member shall be the construction of single-family residences; the larger part of the business of one member shall be the construction of home improvements; one member shall be a subcontractor as generally regarded in the construction industry; one member shall be in the business of sales of construction materials and supplies; one member shall be a local building official; one member shall be a licensed plumbing contractor; one member shall be a licensed electrical contractor; one member shall be a licensed heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor; and two members shall be citizen members. The terms of the Board members shall be four years.

The Board shall meet at least four times each year, once in January, April, July and October, and at such other times as may be deemed necessary. Annually, the Board shall elect from its membership a chairman and a vice-chairman to serve for a one-year term. Seven members of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

The Board shall promulgate regulations not inconsistent with statute necessary for the licensure of contractors and tradesmen and the certification of backflow prevention device workers, and for the relicensure of contractors and tradesmen and for the recertification of backflow prevention device workers, after license or certificate suspension or revocation. The Board shall include in its regulations educational requirements as a condition for licensure to ensure the protection of the public welfare. Such regulations shall also include a requirement that for contractors and tradesmen the designated employee and responsible management personnel of the applicant successfully complete an approved basic contracting course prior to the issuance of a license.

The Board may adopt regulations requiring all Class A, B, and C residential contractors, excluding subcontractors to the contracting parties and those who engage in routine maintenance or service contracts, to use legible written contracts including the following terms and conditions:

1. General description of the work to be performed;

2. Fixed price or an estimate of the total cost of the work, the amounts and schedule of progress payments, a listing of specific materials requested by the consumer and the amount of down payment;

3. Estimates of time of commencement and completion of the work; and

4. Contractor's name, address, office telephone number and license or certification number and class.

In transactions involving door-to-door solicitations, the Board may require that a statement of protections be provided by the contractor to the homeowner, consumer or buyer, as the case may be.

The Board shall adopt a seal with the words "Board for Contractors, Commonwealth of Virginia." The Director shall have charge, care and custody of the seal.

B. The Director shall maintain a record of the proceedings of the Board.

2.  That the Board shall promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this act to be effective within 280 days of its enactment.