Here's What You Need to Know About 2018 Laws

In 2017, CSLB worked with lawmakers to further ensure that licensees meet the minimum standards of law for the protection of the public.

Below are some of the bills passed by California legislators that licensed contractors should become familiar with, as they may affect their business. For a full list and review of relevant 2016-17 legislation, please read the New Construction Industry Law Update.

Senate Bill 242

Adds Chapter 29.1 to Part 3 of Division 7 of the Streets and Highways Code relating to the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The provisions of this bill apply exclusively to residential properties with four or fewer units and require that program administrators orally provide specified information before executing a contract and record that oral confirmation. Further, an administrator shall not permit contractors or other third parties to advertise the availability of assessment contracts, unless certain requirements are met.

Senate Bill 1070

Enables CSLB to work with the Public Utilities Commission to develop a "solar energy system disclosure document" that must be provided to a consumer prior to completion of a sale, financing, or lease of a solar energy system. This disclosure will include information about the installation of the system, the total costs of installation, anticipated savings, the assumptions and inputs used to estimate the savings, and the implications of various financing options.

Assembly Bill 1278

Provides that when an unsatisfied judgment is issued against a license the qualifying individual or personnel of record on that license are prohibited from working in the same capacity on another license until that judgment is satisfied. This rule, which amended section 7071.17 of the BPC code, applies to the qualifying individuals or personnel of record who worked for a licensee during the timeframe covered by the judgment.

Assembly Bill 1357

Amends section 7197 of the BPC and section 1102.4 of the Civil Code. This bill authorizes a licensed C-39 roofing contractor to perform repairs identified as a result of a home inspection conducted by the licensee for the specific purpose of providing a roof certification. The authorization is valid if the licensed contractor meets specified conditions.

Assembly Bill 1284

Requires that Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) administrators be licensed under the California Financing Law (effective January 1, 2019), and that program administrators meet certain requirements before PACE assessment contracts can be funded and recorded by a public agency (effective April 1, 2018). This bill also provides that program administrators comply with the requirements of the California Financial Information Privacy Act.