Contractors: energy efficiency measures.

Existing law, the Contractors' State License Law, provides for the licensure and regulation of contractors by the Contractors' State License Board. Under existing law, a citation may be issued to, and penalties assessed against, a person acting in the capacity of or engaging in the business of a contractor without a license. Under existing law, the board may take disciplinary action against a contractor for committing specified acts. Existing law makes state or local agencies responsible for the enforcement of building standards. This bill would make unlicensed contractors who fail to comply with specified building energy efficiency standards subject to a civil penalty of not less than $2,000. The bill would specify that the failure of a licensee to comply with the building energy efficiency standards constitutes a cause for disciplinary action. The bill would also provide that the failure of a licensee to obtain a building permit, in specified circumstances, shall be subject to a citation and a civil penalty of not less than $500. The bill would require the board, beginning July 1, 2011, and each fiscal year thereafter, to compile data and to submit a report to the Legislature no later than the first business day in October that includes the number of penalties assessed by the board against licensees and unlicensed contractors for failure to comply with these standards. The bill would require the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission to collaborate with the board with respect to identifying and investigating the failure of licensees and unlicensed contractors to comply with these provisions.