HB 313: Landscaper Certification Amendments - Utah

Amended 2/13/2026 09:02:100 → Substitute #1 · 2 edits

MINOR

The substitute version makes a minor but meaningful change to subsection (3)(a) by removing the word 'primarily' from the description of the specialty contractor classification for landscape work. The division now identifies a specialty contractor that 'may engage in landscape work' rather than one that 'primarily engages in landscape work,' slightly broadening which contractors fall under the landscape-specific continuing education requirements. A Senate sponsor designation was also removed.

SCOPE

Subsection (3)(a) changed from requiring the division to identify a specialty contractor that 'primarily engages in landscape work' to one that 'may engage in landscape work.' This removes the 'primarily' qualifier, broadening the scope of contractors subject to the landscape-specific continuing education requirement (at least one hour on water conservation or fire risk management landscaping).

TECHNICAL

The Senate Sponsor field was cleared (previously listed David P. Hinkins), a procedural change with no policy impact.

Substitute #1 → Substitute #2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill update adds a Senate sponsor and clarifies that the new landscaping specialty contractor classification will coordinate with a separate construction trades bill. It also updates the list of approved continuing education providers to reflect a name change for one plumbing association and renumbers the registry section. Most importantly, it clarifies that the new landscaping contractor category is for those who 'primarily' engage in landscape work.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly coordinates with H.B. 40 regarding construction trades licensing and clarifies the primary focus of the new landscaping specialty contractor classification.

SCOPE

Added a Senate sponsor (David P. Hinkins) and a coordination clause referencing H.B. 40.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the description of the specialty contractor classification from 'that may engage in landscape work' to 'that primarily engages in landscape work'.

TECHNICAL

Updated the name of the Utah Plumbing Heating Contractors Association to Utah Plumbing & Heating Contractors Association.

Renumbered the continuing education registry section from (4) to (4) while keeping the content identical.

Amended Excerpts 2/13/2026 09:02:100 → Amended 2/13/2026 09:02:100 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates continuing education rules for Utah contractors, specifically adding landscape work to the list of recognized specialties. It requires landscape contractors to complete specific training on water conservation and fire risk management, while also clarifying which organizations can offer approved training courses.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the continuing education program to explicitly include 'landscape work' as a specialty classification, whereas the previous version focused primarily on HVAC and other trades.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new specialty classification for landscape contractors who must complete specific continuing education hours on water conservation and fire risk management.

Updated the list of approved training providers to include landscape-related organizations and clarified rules for who can offer courses to landscape contractors.

TECHNICAL

Replaced a deleted section regarding HVAC contractors with new text defining requirements for landscape contractors.

Enrolled → Amended Excerpts 2/13/2026 09:02:100 · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to clarify that the Division of Professional Licensing must identify a specialty contractor specifically authorized to engage in landscape work. This change ensures the regulatory language explicitly grants permission for these contractors to operate in this field, rather than just identifying them as a category.

Scope change

The scope of applicability was clarified to explicitly authorize specialty contractors to engage in landscape work.

ELIGIBILITY

The requirement for the division to identify a specialty contractor was updated to specify that the identified contractor must be one that may engage in landscape work, clarifying their legal authority to perform the work.

Introduced → Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

This bill amends Utah's contractor licensing law to create a new specialty classification for landscape work and establishes specific continuing education requirements for those licensees. The changes replace a previous mandate for the Division of Professional Licensing to define landscape work with a requirement to identify a specific specialty contractor category. Additionally, landscape contractors must now complete at least one hour of continuing education focused on water conservation or fire risk management during each renewal cycle.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of the existing contractor licensing framework by formally recognizing landscape work as a distinct specialty contractor classification, thereby creating a new category of regulated professionals.

DEFINITION

The bill removes the requirement for the Division of Professional Licensing to define landscape work and instead requires the division to identify a specific specialty contractor classification that primarily engages in landscape work.

REQUIREMENT

New continuing education requirements are added for landscape contractors, mandating at least one hour of training on water conservation or fire risk management principles during each two-year renewal cycle.

The bill modifies the list of approved continuing education providers, updating the name of the Utah Plumbing Heating Contractors Association to Utah Plumbing & Heating Contractors Association.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the bill is set to May 6, 2026.

Landscaper Certification Amendments

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