Sen. Hatchett presents Kemp-backed bill to codify construction licensing standards; committee passes substitute 8-0

Sen. Hatchett, speaking on behalf of Governor Brian Kemp, presented a committee substitute for Senate Bill 553 on the final committee meeting of the year, saying the bill’s “clear objective is to streamline a very confusing, and quite frankly outdated licensing process in the State of Georgia.” The committee voted to pass the substitute and referred it to the Rules Committee by a unanimous voice/show-of-hands tally announced as “8 to nothing.”

The bill would codify objective, measurable licensing requirements for five trade divisions currently administered under the State Construction Industry Licensing structure: electrical contractors, low-voltage contractors, master and journeyman plumbers, utility contractors and conditioned-air contractors. Sponsor remarks and administration witnesses described the measure as replacing vague, subjective standards (phrases such as “to the satisfaction of the division” or “significant responsibility”) with defined years of experience, task-based criteria, verified affidavits from licensed supervisors and clarified examination timing.

According to testimony from the governor’s office staff, the bill requires applicants to demonstrate completion of specific tasks tied to a license (for example, electrical applicants must satisfy task checklists such as “5 of 8” items for one residential class and “8 of 8” for the unrestricted class), and it ties verification to sworn affidavits from employers or licensed supervisors rather than delaying applications with phone calls to referees. Amy Dorman, deputy chief operating officer and director of appointments in the governor’s office, told the committee the affidavit approach limits administrative delay while retaining enforcement risk for false attestations. JC Martin, the administration’s regulated industries policy adviser, said USDOL apprenticeship programs will count where listed and that the measure expands inspector eligibility to include county, municipal and third-party inspectors.

Committee members pressed the administration on how the bill will measure the commonly cited “2,000 hours” of full-time experience and who will verify those hours. Administration witnesses said the focus is on whether the applicant completed the qualified tasks during the aggregated hours and that affidavits from supervisors will serve as verification; the measure is intended to reduce the Secretary of State’s staff burden of calling referees for every application. The bill also includes provisions to streamline licensing for current and former military members and to accept substantially similar out-of-state qualifications for reciprocity, which a committee member commended as support for veterans.

The substitute also changes specific experience thresholds in code: among examples discussed, the committee heard that for certain electrical licenses one requirement is reduced from four years to three and another from six years to four; journeyman plumber experience that previously functioned via board rule is codified as one year; master plumber Class 1 is reduced from five years to four while master plumber Class 2 remains five years. Witnesses and trade representatives said existing licenses and certificates will remain valid under the bill.

Industry witnesses told the committee they were consulted in drafting the substitute and support the change. Lee Lemke, representing the Mechanical Contractors Association, Plumbers Association and Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association, said the associations “met numerous times with the governor’s staff” and were “good with the bill as it is.” Moe Thrash of the Georgia Utility Contractors Association, Tucker Green of the Conditioner Association of Georgia and Joel Wiggins of the Independent Electrical Contractors similarly told the committee they had been involved in the process and supported codifying current board rules into statute.

Sponsor and administration witnesses framed the measure as a response to recent court guidance limiting agency delegation and as an effort to reduce subjective denials by boards. Sen. Hatchett and administration staff cited recent court decisions as the impetus to move specific licensing standards into statute so applicants have clear, legislated criteria rather than relying on board rule interpretations. Supporters said the bill is intended to protect public safety while removing opaque discretionary practices that can delay licensure and reduce workforce entry.

The committee’s motion to pass the Senate Bill 553 substitute (LC 560640, Executive Council substitute) was made, seconded and carried unanimously after a show-of-hands vote. The chair announced the measure passed “8 to nothing” and said the bill would proceed to the Rules Committee. The committee adjourned following the vote.

Next steps: the substitute was referred to the Senate Rules Committee for further consideration before floor action; no amendments were adopted in this committee meeting.