LRB-1677/1
KP:skw
2021 - 2022 LEGISLATURE
February 5, 2021 - Introduced by Senators Bernier, Bewley and Cowles,
cosponsored by Representatives
Brooks, Gundrum, Allen, Moses,
Ortiz-Velez and Skowronski. Referred to Committee on Insurance,
Licensing and Forestry.
SB74,1,6
1An Act to repeal 440.978 (4);
to amend 440.97 (2m), 440.973 (3), 440.974 (2) and
2440.975 (3) (cm); and
to create 440.972 (1) (bg), 440.972 (1m), 440.974 (1) (ag),
3440.975 (3) (bm) and 440.975 (3) (cr) of the statutes;
relating to: regulation of
4home inspectors, extending the time limit for emergency rule procedures,
5providing an exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting
6rule-making authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill does the following related to regulation of home inspectors:
1. Modifies the definition of what is considered to be a “defect,” for purposes of
a report submitted by a home inspector to a client. The bill also makes modifications
to what the report is required to contain, including by adding a number of required
elements and statements for the report, such as a summary page with required
statements, and requiring defects to be labeled as defects if they satisfy the legal
definition of defect.
2. Requires, in order to be granted a home inspector registration, that an
individual complete 40 hours of instruction. Current law generally requires a person
to be registered with the Department of Safety and Professional Services to act as
a home inspector, use the title “home inspector,” or represent himself or herself to be
a home inspector.
3. Exempts newly registered home inspectors from continuing education
requirements for the first two renewals of a registration. Current DSPS rules
exempt newly registered home inspectors from continuing education requirements
for the first renewal of a registration.
4. Provides for reciprocal registration of home inspectors licensed in other
states who have comparable or more stringent requirements.
5. Repeals a provision allowing DSPS to use an alternative professional
discipline procedure for home inspectors.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.