Memo #________
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Memorandum
TO: Mayor and Councilors DATE: July 25, 2008
THROUGH: Isaiah Hugley, City Manager SUBJECT: State Requirements
Update
FROM: William L. Duck, Jr., CBO
Director, Inspections & Code
______________________________________________________________________________
Please find attached a timeline to update Council on the State of Georgia
requirements for licensing residential and general contractors.
As Council is aware, Columbus has had a contractor licensing program in place
since 1959. In 2005, legislation was passed requiring state licensing of
contractors with an implementation date of July 1, 2007. The date was extended
twice with the final implementation date being July 1, 2008.
The Columbus Building Contractors Examining Board anticipated continuing our
local licensing program for an additional one and one-half years to assure a
smooth transition to the state program. Through the entire process, during
discussions on the legislation, as well as discussions with state board members
and staff, Columbus and several other municipalities were told those licensing
programs would be allowed to continue.
However, on June 5, 2008, we were informed our local program could not continue
after July 1, 2008. Since that time, we have been working to help those who
had not been grandfathered in by the state or converted to the state system.
The staff will continue to provide assistance to contractors transitioning to
the State of Georgia licensing program.
/jfg
Attachment
c: David Arrington, Deputy City Manager
Update on State Requirements for Licensing
Residential and General Contractors
Columbus Building Contractors Examining Board has been in place for over 40
years requiring testing of Building Contractors.
2005 State Legislation passed requiring state licensing of contractors. The
law to become fully enforceable and required for doing business in the State of
Georgia effective January 1, 2007. From the beginning, we understood that
Columbus and several other counties that had existing testing for licensing
would be able to continue their program for their county.
January 1, 2006-
June 30, 2007 Period for contractors to submit applications for exam exemption,
and intrastate reciprocity into the state process.
March, 2006 Inspections and Code hosted a meeting, and had State Licensing
Board member and staff that provided information and answered questions. When
questioned, staff member stated those municipalities with existing testing
programs would be allowed to continue.
January 2006-
To Date Information on state licensing posted on bulletin board at Inspections
and Code front counter. The implementation date has moved twice over the last
three years.
June 2, 2008 Requested written confirmation on approval of local process from
board. Board member stated the board?s intent was to allow local process to
continue. Next state board meeting June 4, 2008.
June 5, 2008 Received a telephone call from board member stating attorney for
Attorney General Office in attendance at meeting on June 4, 2008 stated, ?that
no jurisdiction within the state could continue local program of licensing?.
June 9, 2008 Spoke with local state board member; he reaffirmed intent of the
board was to allow local licensing for five jurisdictions with prior testing
process. Received email from board member stating, ?After our conversation
today, I spoke to another board member. It is my understanding that
municipalities that had licensing in place prior to the state law will be able
to remain in effect. We plan to discuss this at our full board meeting on June
18. At that point you should have clarity from the board.?
June 11, 2008 Received email request to send letter to state licensing board
for Columbus licensing process (letter sent to state licensing board).
June 18, 2008 State Board met; we received email stating, ?The State Licensing
Board voted today to acknowledge the receipt of your letter and to table the
request pending further study. At this point we are unable to give you a time
line of when this will be brought back up.?
June 18, 2008 Inspections and Code sent letter to all local license holders
notifying them of change in state policy and state licensing requirement would
become effective July 1, 2008.
June 30, 2008 Talked with Connie Proctor (state board staff) for information,
and
encouraged consideration of Columbus? request.
July 1, 2008 State Licensing Law became effective. Have received a number of
questions on the state process, providing as much information as possible, and
referring others to the state contracting board as requested by the state. In
order to receive permits from Inspections and Code, the contractor must
provide a copy of the State card issued by Georgia State Board for Residential
and General Contractors.
July 7, 2008 Talked with Tanja Battle (state board staff) for clarification on
licensing issues, and requested consideration of Columbus request.
July 18, 2008 Sent letter to Tanja Battle for clarification on traditional
specialty contractors.
Attachments
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