Contractors: definition.

Existing law, the Contractors' State License Law, creates the Contractors' State License Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs and provides for the licensure and regulation of contractors. Existing law defines the term "contractor" to include, among others, any person or consultant to an owner-builder who undertakes, offers to undertake, or submits a bid to construct a building or home improvement project. Existing law requires applicants and licensed contractors to pay specified fees that are deposited into the continuously appropriated Contractors' License Fund. Under existing law, it is a crime for a person to act as a contractor without a license. This bill would define the term "consultant" for purposes of the definition of a contractor to include a person who provides a bid, or who arranges for and sets up work schedules and maintains oversight of a construction project, with respect to a home improvement contract, as specified. Because consultants who provide the above-described services would be required to pay license fees which are deposited into the Contractors' License Fund, the bill would make an appropriation. Because this bill would expand the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.