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REFERENCE TITLE: registrar of contractors; powers |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session 2024
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SB 1096 |
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Introduced by Senator Wadsack
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An Act
amending section 32-1104, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to the registrar of contractors.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Section 32-1104, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
32-1104. Powers and duties
A. The registrar, in addition to other duties and rights provided for in this chapter, shall:
1. Maintain an office in Phoenix and in such other cities and towns in the this state as the registrar deems advisable and necessary.
2. Maintain a complete indexed record of all applications and licenses that are issued, renewed, terminated, cancelled canceled, revoked or suspended under this chapter, including timely notation of any judicial disposition on appeal, for a period of not less than at least seven years.
3. Furnish a certified copy of any license issued or an affidavit that no license exists or that a license has been cancelled canceled or suspended, including information as to the status on appeal of such a cancellation or suspension, on receipt of the prescribed fee. , and That certified copy or affidavit shall be received in all courts and elsewhere as prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein in the certified copy or affidavit. The registrar shall also furnish certified copies of license bonds or cash deposit certificates on receipt of the prescribed fee. Fees charged pursuant to this paragraph are $10 per hour, except that the minimum fee charged pursuant to this paragraph is $10.
4. Employ such deputies, investigators and assistants who are subject to title 41, chapter 4, article 4, and procure such equipment and records, as are necessary to enforce this chapter. With respect to the enforcement of section 32-1164, the registrar or the registrar's investigators are vested with the authority to issue a citation to any violators of this chapter in accordance with section 13-3903. When the registrar or the registrar's investigators conduct investigations they are authorized to receive criminal history record information from the department of public safety and other law enforcement agencies.
5. Make rules the registrar deems necessary to effectually carry out the provisions and intent of this chapter. Such rules shall include the adoption of minimum standards for good and workmanlike construction. In adopting such rules of minimum standards, the registrar shall be guided by established usage and procedure as found in the construction business in this state. If the rules of minimum standards adopted by the registrar are in any manner inconsistent with a building or other code of this state, or a county, city or other political subdivision or local authority of this state, compliance with such code shall constitute good and workmanlike construction for the purposes of this chapter.
6. Apply the following to proposed rule changes:
(a) The registrar of contractors, at the time the registrar files notice of proposed rule change with the secretary of state in compliance with title 41, chapter 6, shall mail to each trade association that qualifies in accordance with subdivision (b) of this paragraph, and any other individual holding a bona fide contractor's license who qualifies in accordance with subdivision (b) of this paragraph, a copy of the notice of proposed rule change.
(b) Every trade association in this state allied with the contracting business that files a written request that a notice be mailed to it and shows that the association has an interest in the rules of the registrar of contractors shall receive a copy thereof of the notice of proposed rule change, as set forth in subdivision (a) of this paragraph. Such filing of a request may be made every two years, and it shall contain information as to the nature of the association and its mailing address. Any duly licensed contractor who files a written request shall receive a copy of the proposed rule changes in accordance with this paragraph. Each such request may be made every two years.
7. Prepare and furnish decals and business management books when deemed advisable by the registrar. A reasonable fee may be charged for such decals and business management books.
8. Refer criminal violations of this chapter to the appropriate law enforcement agency or prosecuting authority.
B. The registrar may develop and institute programs to do any of the following:
1. Educate the public and contractors licensed pursuant to this chapter regarding statutes, rules, policies and operations of the agency.
2. Assist in resolving disputes in an informal process before a reportable written complaint is filed. The registrar must notify the licensed contractor in an alleged dispute before a written complaint is filed and allow the contractor the opportunity to be present at any inspection regarding the alleged dispute. The registrar must give the contractor at least five days' notice before the inspection. Issues in the alleged dispute under this section shall not be limited in number and shall not be considered formal written complaints. The homeowner reserves the right to deny access to the contractor under this informal complaint process. The registrar must notify the contractor and the homeowner in writing of the registrar's findings within five days after the date of the inspection. The registrar may not post any information regarding the informal complaint process as part of a licensee's record on the registrar's website.
3. Develop, manage, operate and sponsor construction related construction-related programs that are designed to benefit the public in conjunction with other private and public entities.
C. The registrar shall publicly post a list of applicants for a contractor license on its website for at least twenty days, commencing on the day designated by the registrar. The registrar shall issue a license if the applicant meets all requirements regardless of the twenty-day posting period. The registrar shall furnish copies of the posting list on written request. A reasonable charge, not to exceed $2 per month, may be made for compilation, printing and postage for the posting list. The list shall contain the following information:
1. The name and address of the applicant.
2. The names, addresses and official capacity of all persons required to sign the application under section 32-1122.
D. The registrar may accept voluntary gifts, grants or matching monies from public agencies or enterprises for the conduct of programs that are authorized by this section or that are consistent with the purpose of this chapter.
E. Notwithstanding any other law, the registrar may investigate a complaint against a licensee and may hold proceedings or hearings relating to the complaint to enforce this chapter even if a city, town or county has previously approved relevant construction plans relating to the subject matter of the complaint.