HB 291-LICENSING OF RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTORS   TAPE 02-11, SIDE A Number 0001 CHAIR MURKOWSKI announced the final order of business, HOUSE BILL NO. 291, "An Act relating to the requirements for obtaining a residential contractor endorsement." Number 0033 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute (CS), version 22-LS1158\C, Lauterbach, 2/1/02, as a work draft. There being no objection, Version C was before the committee. NUMBER 0080 REPRESENTATIVE MEYER, sponsor of HB 291, explained that currently a person must apply for the residential contractor endorsement within six months after successfully completing the exam. He said a constituent, Mr. Devore, had written a letter noting that he'd been out of state for a family emergency and had missed the six-month deadline; Mr. Devore's concern was that the law didn't allow for extenuating circumstances. If a person misses the six-month deadline, the only recourse is to take the residential contractor exam again - which is four hours long and is only offered four times a year, with a $75 fee each time the test is taken. REPRESENTATIVE MEYER said he'd contacted Catherine Reardon, Director, Division of Occupational Licensing, who'd agreed that the law could allow some flexibility. He said a simple solution was to extend the timeline to apply for a contractor endorsement. He said Ms. Reardon had explained to him that a common reason for missing the deadline was that a person might be in the process of starting a new construction business. REPRESENTATIVE MEYER pointed out that originally HB 291 extended the deadline from six months to two years, but Version C only extends the deadline to twelve months. He said this was more agreeable to all the parties involved. Number 0283 CATHERINE REARDON, Director, Division of Occupational Licensing, Department of Commerce and Economic Development, informed the committee that the Division of Occupational Licensing supports HB 291. Number 0302 REPRESENTATIVE ROKEBERG moved to report CSHB 291 [version 22- LS1158\C, Lauterbach, 2/1/02] from committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, CSHB 291(L&C) was moved out of the House Labor and Commerce Standing Committee.