Electrical licensing penalties, deadlines updated

Lawmakers approved a bill April 10 that increases certain penalties for violations of the State Electrical Act and updates licensure renewal deadlines.

Under LB889, introduced by Sen. Stan Clouse of Kearney, certain violations are elevated from a Class I misdemeanor to a Class IV felony, including:
• failing to file a required request for inspection;
• performing paid electrical work without a proper license;
• interfering with or refusing entry to a lawfully acting electrical inspector;
• making a false statement in a license application, inspection request, certificate or other required form; and
• failing or neglecting to comply with the act or any lawful rule, regulation or order of the State Electrical Board.

A Class IV felony is punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment and 12 months of post-release supervision, a $10,000 fine or both.

The bill limits unlicensed work violations to paid electrical work and exempts certain work performed for family members.

The measure was amended on select file April 7 to include provisions of LB725, sponsored by Grand Island Sen. Dan Quick. Those provisions change electrical license renewal deadlines from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 of even-numbered years, with late renewals allowed from Dec. 1 to Dec. 31.

LB889 passed on a 41-8 vote.