Gardening or landscape maintenance services: regulation.

Existing law provides for the regulation of the operation of various businesses. This bill would, on and after July 1, 2012, provide for the regulation of gardening or landscape maintenance services, as defined. The bill would require a local jurisdiction to obtain from an applicant for issuance or renewal of a business license who provides gardening or landscape maintenance services, (1) documentation that he or she has workers' compensation coverage or is exempt from those coverage requirements and proof of current licensure as a contractor issued by the Contractors' State License Board, or (2) a signed acknowledgment of the consequences of performing the duties of a contractor without a license. The bill would impose a civil penalty, as specified, on an applicant who provides false information with respect to an application, and would authorize certain persons to obtain an injunction under specified circumstances. Because the bill would specify additional duties for local jurisdictions, it 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, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.