Committee approves compromise allowing NABCEP solar installers to transition toward electrician licensure; excludes large utility projects

Sponsors presented Senate Bill 165 as a consensus bill that clarifies photovoltaic (PV) installation is electrical work under the National Electric Code and creates a pathway for existing NABCEP‑certified solar installers to apply their training and field experience toward hours needed for electrical apprenticeships and licensure.

Industry witnesses including the National Electrical Contractors Association (represented by Phil Hayes) and solar contractors (Jason Sharp of Namasté Solar and IECRM partners) said the measure grew from extended stakeholder negotiations and is intended to increase the licensed electrical workforce while preserving public‑safety standards. The bill allows businesses to organize as electrical contractors going forward and gives NABCEP‑certified workers credit toward licensure hours so they can transition into electrician careers.

Labor and industry negotiators agreed on an amendment (L1007) adopted in committee to exclude large, utility‑scale installations from the licensing change: work on installations with capacity of at least 300 kilowatts is carved out so that current labor classifications performing those larger projects are unaffected.

Action: Sponsors moved SB 165 to the Committee on Appropriations with a favorable recommendation; the chair recorded and announced the committee roll call in favor (roll call recorded in transcript as "110" which the committee identified as a unanimous favorable result). The amendment L1007 was adopted during the hearing.

Ending: Sponsors and witnesses described the bill as a workforce development measure that preserves existing small‑business NABCEP pathways while creating clearer, state‑recognized routes from solar trades to licensed electrician careers.