AN ACT REDUCING BY HALF CERTAIN FEES FOR CERTAIN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, REGISTRATIONS OR PERMITS FOR VETERANS AND THEIR SPOUSES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. Subsection (a) of section 20-292 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(a) Each licensed architect shall renew his or her license each year and pay to the department the professional services fee for class F, as defined in section 33-182l, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran.

Sec. 2. Subsection (b) of section 20-304a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(b) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, for the issuance of automatic fire sprinkler system layout technician's licenses and to prescribe the amount of the fees required pursuant to this section. Upon the adoption of such regulations, the fees required for such licenses shall be as prescribed in such regulation, except that any such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran.

Sec. 3. Section 20-305 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

Applications for licensure under this chapter shall be on forms prescribed and furnished by the Department of Consumer Protection. The nonrefundable application fee for a professional engineer license shall be eighty dollars. The nonrefundable application fee for an engineer-in-training license shall be seventy-six dollars, which shall accompany the application and which shall include the cost of the issuance of a license. The nonrefundable application fee for a land surveyor license shall be eighty dollars. The nonrefundable application fee for a surveyor-in-training license shall be sixty-four dollars, which shall accompany the application and which shall include the cost of the issuance of a license. The initial license fee for a professional engineer license or a land surveyor license shall be two hundred twenty dollars, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran. The application fee for a combined license as professional engineer and land surveyor shall be eighty dollars. The initial license fee for such combined license shall be two hundred twenty dollars, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran and the spouse of a veteran.

Sec. 4. Subsection (f) of section 20-314 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(f) All licenses issued under the provisions of this chapter shall expire annually. At the time of application for a real estate broker's license, there shall be paid to the commission, for each individual applicant and for each proposed active member or officer of a firm, partnership, association or corporation, the sum of five hundred sixty-five dollars, and for the annual renewal thereof, the sum of three hundred seventy-five dollars and for a real estate salesperson's license two hundred eighty-five dollars and for the annual renewal thereof the sum of two hundred eighty-five dollars, except that any such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran. Three dollars of each such annual renewal fee shall be payable to the Real Estate Guaranty Fund established pursuant to section 20-324a. If a license is not issued, the fee shall be returned. A real estate broker's license issued to any partnership, association or corporation shall entitle the individual designated in the application, as provided in section 20-312, upon compliance with the terms of this chapter, but without the payment of any further fee, to perform all of the acts of a real estate broker under this chapter on behalf of such partnership, association or corporation. Any license which expires and is not renewed pursuant to this subsection may be reinstated by the commission, if, not later than two years after the date of expiration, the former licensee pays to the commission for each real estate broker's license the sum of three hundred seventy-five dollars and for each real estate salesperson's license the sum of two hundred eighty-five dollars for each year or fraction thereof from the date of expiration of the previous license to the date of payment for reinstatement, except that (1) any licensee whose license expired after such licensee entered military service shall be reinstated without payment of any fee if an application for reinstatement is filed with the commission within two years after the date of expiration, and (2) any such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran and the spouse of a veteran. Any such reinstated license shall expire on the next succeeding March thirty-first for real estate brokers or the next succeeding May thirty-first for real estate salespersons.

Sec. 5. Section 20-335 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

Any person who has successfully completed an examination for such person's initial license under this chapter shall pay to the Department of Consumer Protection a fee of one hundred fifty dollars for a contractor's license or a fee of one hundred twenty dollars for any other such license, except that any such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran. Any such initial license fee shall be waived for persons who present a recommendation for review issued pursuant to section 31-22u. All such licenses shall expire annually. No person shall carry on or engage in the work or occupations subject to this chapter after the expiration of such person's license until such person has filed an application bearing the date of such person's registration card with the appropriate board. Such application shall be in writing, addressed to the secretary of the board from which such renewal is sought and signed by the person applying for such renewal. A licensee applying for renewal shall, at such times as the commissioner shall by regulation prescribe, furnish evidence satisfactory to the board that the licensee has completed any continuing professional education required under sections 20-330 to 20-341, inclusive, or any regulations adopted thereunder. The board may renew such license if the application for such renewal is received by the board no later than one month after the date of expiration of such license, upon payment to the department of a renewal fee of one hundred fifty dollars in the case of a contractor and of one hundred twenty dollars for any other such license, except that any such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran and the spouse of a veteran. For any completed renewal application submitted pursuant to this section that requires a hearing or other action by the applicable examining board, such hearing or other action by the applicable examining board shall occur not later than thirty days after the date of submission for such completed renewal application. The department shall issue a receipt stating the fact of such payment, which receipt shall be a license to engage in such work or occupation. A licensee who has failed to renew such licensee's license for a period of over two years from the date of expiration of such license shall have it reinstated only upon complying with the requirements of section 20-333. All license fees and renewal fees paid to the department pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the General Fund.

Sec. 6. Subsections (c) and (d), inclusive, of section 20-341y of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(c) Certificates issued to mechanical contractors shall be valid for one year and shall not be transferable or assignable.

(d) The fee for renewal of a certificate shall be one hundred ten dollars, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran.

Sec. 7. Subsection (c) of section 20-341gg of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(c) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section. Such regulations shall (1) establish the registration requirements for major contractors, (2) specify application and registration fees, except that any such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran, and (3) establish occupational standards for the preservation of the public safety.

Sec. 8. Subsection (c) of section 20-349 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(c) (1) Any person desiring to be licensed under this chapter shall apply to the board in writing, on forms which the Department of Consumer Protection shall provide, stating: [(1)] (A) Such person's name, residence address and business address; [(2)] (B) a brief description of his qualifications, including the length and nature of his experience; [(3)] (C) in the case of an apprentice, the name of his employer or supervisor; and [(4)] (D) such other information as the department may require. [Each] Except as provided in subdivision (2) of in this subsection, each application for a license as a service dealer shall be accompanied by a fee of two hundred dollars, [. Each application for a] license as a licensed electronics technician, licensed antenna technician or licensed radio electronics technician shall be accompanied by a fee of eighty dollars, [. Each application for a] and permit as an apprentice shall be accompanied by a fee of forty dollars. [If] Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, if a service dealer as an individual is a licensed electronics technician or licensed radio electronics technician, only one license fee shall be charged in the amount of two hundred dollars. All such fees shall be paid to the department.

(2) Any fee required under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran.

Sec. 9. Subsection (a) of section 20-374 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(a) Every licensed landscape architect shall pay an annual license fee to the department. A holder of a valid license who is not engaging in the active practice of the holder's profession in this state and does not desire to register may allow the license to lapse by notifying the board of the holder's intention not to renew the license. After a license has been allowed to lapse or has been suspended, it may be reinstated upon payment of a reinstatement fee and such proof of the landscape architect's qualifications as may be required in the sound discretion of the board. The department shall issue a receipt to each landscape architect promptly upon the payment of the annual fee for a license. The amount of fees prescribed by this chapter is that fixed by the following schedule: (1) The application fee for examination shall be a nonrefundable fee of eighty dollars; (2) the fee for an initial license shall be two hundred eighty dollars, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran; (3) the fee for a duplicate license shall be fifteen dollars; (4) the annual license fee shall be the professional services fee for class E, as defined in section 33-182l, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran and the spouse of a veteran; (5) the reinstatement fee for a suspended license shall be two hundred fifty dollars; and (6) the reinstatement fee for a lapsed license shall be one hundred eighty dollars.

Sec. 10. Section 20-377m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(a) A person seeking a certificate of registration as an interior designer shall apply to the commissioner in writing, on a form provided by the commissioner. Such application shall include the applicant's name, residence address, business address and such other information as the commissioner may by regulation require.

(b) Each application for a certificate of registration shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred ninety dollars, provided except that (1) such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran, and (2) any architect licensed in this state shall not be required to pay such fee.

Sec. 11. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 20-417b of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(a) No person shall engage in the business of new home construction or hold himself or herself out as a new home construction contractor unless such person has been issued a certificate of registration by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of sections 20-417a to 20-417j, inclusive. No new home construction contractor shall be relieved of responsibility for the conduct and acts of its agents, employees or officers by reason of such new home construction contractor's compliance with the provisions of sections 20-417a to 20-417j, inclusive.

(b) Any person seeking a certificate of registration shall apply to the commissioner, in writing, on a form provided by the commissioner. The application shall include (1) the applicant's name, business street address and business telephone number, (2) the identity of the insurer that provides the applicant with insurance coverage for liability, (3) if such applicant is required by any provision of the general statutes to have workers' compensation coverage, the identity of the insurer that provides the applicant with such workers' compensation coverage, and (4) if such applicant is required by any provision of the general statutes to have an agent for service of process, the name and address of such agent. Each such application shall be accompanied by a fee of two hundred forty dollars, except that (A) such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran, and (B) no such application fee shall be required if such person has paid the registration fee required under section 20-421, as amended by this act, during any year in which such person's registration as a new home construction contractor would be valid.

Sec. 12. Subsections (b) and (c) of section 20-421 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(b) Each application for a certificate of registration as a home improvement contractor shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred twenty dollars, except that (1) such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran, and (2) no such application fee shall be required in any year during which such person has paid the registration fee required under section 20-417b, as amended by this act, or in any year in which such person's registration as a new home construction contractor is valid.

(c) Each application for a certificate of registration as a salesman shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred twenty dollars, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran and the spouse of a veteran.

Sec. 13. Subsection (b) of section 20-452 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(b) Each application for a certificate of registration as a community association manager shall be accompanied by an application fee of sixty dollars and a registration fee of one hundred dollars, except that such registration fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran. The department shall refund the registration fee if it refuses to issue a certificate of registration.

Sec. 14. Subsection (a) of section 20-492b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(a) To be eligible for a home inspector license, an applicant shall:

(1) Have successfully completed high school or its equivalent;

(2) Have earned a home inspector intern permit and performed not less than one hundred home inspections in accordance with subsection (c) of section 20-493b;

(3) Have passed an oral, written or electronic competency examination administered by the department; and

(4) [Paid] Have paid a fee of two hundred dollars, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran.

Sec. 15. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 20-511 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(a) In order to obtain an appraiser certification or a provisional license, each person who has met, to the satisfaction of the commission, the minimum requirements established by the commission for such certification or provisional license shall pay to the commission, in addition to the application fee described in subsection (c) of section 20-509, an initial fee of: Three hundred seventy-five dollars in the case of certified appraisers and one hundred dollars in the case of provisional licensees, except that any such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran.

(b) All certifications and provisional licenses issued under the provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, shall expire annually and be subject to renewal. The renewal fee for certifications and provisional licenses, to be paid to the commission, shall be: Two hundred eighty-five dollars in the case of certified appraisers and one hundred dollars in the case of provisional licensees, except that any such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran and the spouse of a veteran.

Sec. 16. Section 20-653 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2017):

(a) Any person seeking a license under the provisions of sections 20-650 to 20-656, inclusive, shall apply to the board or the Department of Consumer Protection in writing on a form provided by the board. Such application shall include the applicant's name, residence address, business address and such other information as the Commissioner of Consumer Protection may require by regulation adopted in accordance with chapter 54 upon the recommendation of the board.

(b) Each application for a license under the provisions of sections 20-650 to 20-656, inclusive, shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of one hundred dollars and a license fee of one hundred ninety dollars, except that such license fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran, as defined in subsection (a) of section 27-103, and the spouse of a veteran. The fee for the renewal of any license issued under the provisions of sections 20-650 to 20-656, inclusive, shall be one hundred ninety dollars, except that such fee shall be reduced by fifty per cent for a veteran and the spouse of a veteran.

Statement of Purpose:

To reduce by fifty per cent certain fees for certain occupational licenses, certifications, registrations or permits for veterans and their spouses.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not underlined.]

H.B. 6074