MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Judiciary B

By: Representative Ward

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 27-17-457, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE CERTAIN LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTRACTORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 27-17-457, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

27-17-457. (1) Any electrical or mechanical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, water and sewer, roofing or construction trades contractor who is licensed by any one (1) municipality or county of the State of Mississippi, which municipality or county has an examining board where there is regularly given a written examination, and who does not hold a current certificate of responsibility issued by the State Board of Public Contractors, shall be granted a license in any other municipality or county in the state without any further examination provided:

(a) That he furnishes evidence that he has such license;

(b) That he furnishes evidence that he actually took and passed the written examination which qualified him for such license; however, in lieu thereof evidence that if said contractor was issued a license prior to May 1, 1972, and prior to the existence of such written examination by a county or municipality which has an examining board that does presently require written examination to qualify for a license;

(c) That he has been actively engaged in business as an electrical or mechanical contractor for two (2) years or more;

(d) That he has held such license for one (1) year or more; and

(e) That he pays the license fee to the municipality or county to which application is made for a license.

(2) Any electrical or mechanical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning, water and sewer, roofing or construction trades contractor who is licensed by any one (1) municipality or county of the State of Mississippi, which municipality or county has an examining board where there is regularly given a written examination, and who holds a current certificate of responsibility issued by the State Board of Public Contractors shall be allowed to do business in any other municipality or county in the state without being required to obtain a separate license in such other municipality or county or to undergo any further examination provided said contractor meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b), * * * of subsection (1) of this section. No surety or penal bond shall be required by a municipality or county in conjunction with the issuance of a license to such contractor.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.