Panel reports out bill raising Construction Industries Board fees to cover expanded duties

Chairman Strom presented Senate Bill 1732, saying the Construction Industries Board’s fee structure has remained largely flat since 2009 while the legislature has added duties the board must carry out, including expanded continuing-education requirements, increased compliance and enforcement responsibilities, and licensure and certification tracking.

"Since 2009, when the fee structure for the construction industries board, the fee structure has remained relatively flat," Chairman Strom said. He told the committee the board asked for an adjustment to allow it to continue providing the services the legislature has asked of it, describing the request as a "fair and responsible ask" for a non-appropriated board.

A committee member asked whether higher fees might create a barrier for people entering the trades. Strom said he believed the board considered that possibility and described the increases as not "large increases" that would create a barrier. He said the board had used reserves and proposed phasing so the request would not be abrupt; the transcript references a timeline that includes the year 2029.

The committee moved and seconded a do-pass motion. Staff opened the vote; the clerk reported a tally of 4 ayes and 1 nay and the committee reported Senate Bill 1732 out as due-passed.

The transcript records sponsor arguments for the fee change and a committee question about workforce impacts but does not include a detailed fee schedule, fiscal note, or implementation date. The bill was reported out of committee and will proceed to the next legislative step.