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H. 4594
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. Sandifer, Cato, Huggins, McLeod, Toole, Walker, R. Brown, Whipper, Bales, Vick and Cotty
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\11981ac08.doc
Companion/Similar bill(s): 67
Introduced in the House on January 29, 2008
Currently residing in the House Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
Summary: Residential heating and air conditioning contracting
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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1/29/2008 House Introduced and read first time HJ-36
1/29/2008 House Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
HJ-37
2/5/2008 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Huggins
2/12/2008 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: McLeod
2/26/2008 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Toole
2/27/2008 House Committee report: Favorable Labor, Commerce and Industry
HJ-5
2/28/2008 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Walker,
R.Brown, Whipper
3/4/2008 House Requests for debate-Rep(s). Simrill, Mulvaney, Scott,
Loftis, Shoopman, Cato, Huggins, Leach, Bannister,
Hamilton, GR Smith, Perry, JR Smith, DC Smith,
Mahaffey, Littlejohn, Kirsh, Young, Anderson,
Crawford, Hart, Hosey, Frye, Parks, Sandifer,
Whitmire, Jefferson, and Williams HJ-53
3/5/2008 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Bales
3/5/2008 House Debate adjourned until Tuesday, March 25, 2008 HJ-32
3/25/2008 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Vick
3/25/2008 House Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 2, 2008 HJ-44
4/2/2008 House Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Cotty
4/2/2008 House Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 9, 2008 HJ-43
4/9/2008 House Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 16, 2008 HJ-61
4/16/2008 House Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 23, 2008 HJ-37
4/23/2008 House Recommitted to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
HJ-71
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
COMMITTEE REPORT
February 27, 2008
H. 4594
S. Printed 2/27/08--H.
Read the first time January 29, 2008.
To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4594) to amend the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, by adding Section 40-59-35 so as to prohibit a person from engaging in the business of residential heating, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
HARRY F. CATO for Committee.
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 40-59-35 SO AS TO PROHIBIT A PERSON FROM ENGAGING IN THE BUSINESS OF RESIDENTIAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTING UNLESS LICENSED AS A RESIDENTIAL SPECIALTY CONTRACTOR AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO PROHIBIT PROVIDING A POTENTIAL BUYER A PROPOSAL FOR SALE OR INSTALLATION OF RESIDENTIAL HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, OTHER THAN A WRITTEN ESTIMATE, BEFORE THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE SYSTEM HAVE BEEN REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY A LICENSED EMPLOYEE OF THE RETAIL SELLER, OR THE RETAIL SELLER; TO FURTHER SPECIFY CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SALE AND INSTALLATION OF A HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION TO PROMULGATE REGULATIONS ESTABLISHING A CIVIL PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 59, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 40-59-35. (A) The provisions of this section apply to all persons, firms, or corporations who engage in, or attempt to engage in, the business of residential heating and air conditioning contracting, or any combination of these, and who receive compensation for providing these services.
(B)(1) This section does not apply to a homeowner, as defined in Section 40-59-260, who makes minor repairs or minor replacements to an already installed system or a homeowner who qualifies under this section to purchase equipment as long as the homeowner obtains proof of a mechanical building permit under local municipal ordinances. For purposes of this section, 'minor repairs or minor replacements' include the replacement of parts in an installed system that do not require any change in energy source, fuel type, or routing or sizing of venting or piping.
(2) This section does not apply to licensed residential builders or general contractors who are purchasing heating or air conditioning equipment, or both, to be installed by licensed heating and air conditioning residential specialty contractors.
(3) This section does not apply to licensed manufactured home contractors, installers, or retailers involved in the sale or installation of a manufactured home.
(C) No contract or proposal for sale or installation of residential heating and air conditioning equipment or systems may be presented to a buyer unless:
(1) the specifications for and design of the system have been first reviewed and approved by an employee of the retail seller who is licensed in accordance with this chapter; or
(2) the specifications for and design of the system have been first reviewed and approved by the person licensed in accordance with this chapter who must install the system, if the installer is not an employee of the retail seller.
(D) This section does not prohibit a retail seller or contractor from providing a written estimate to a potential buyer so long as no contract or proposal for contract is presented before the review and approval required by subsection (C).
(E) The person installing heating and air conditioning equipment and systems must be licensed in accordance with this chapter to perform services in this State.
(F) The contract for sale and for installation must be signed by an authorized representative of the retail seller and by the licensed contractor or his designee and must contain the contractor's name, license number, and telephone number and the license number of the person approving the system design specifications.
(G) Installation services must be performed in compliance with all applicable building codes, manufacturer's installation instructions, and permit and inspection requirements.
(H) In addition to any other penalties provided for in this chapter, a person who violates a provision of this section is subject to the penalties provided for in Section 40-59-210(B)."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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