Bill H.468

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2740 FILED ON: 2/18/2021

HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 468

By Mr. Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 468) of David T. Vieira and Paul A. Schmid, III for legislation to establish a board of registration of irrigation contractors. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act relative to the registration of irrigation contractors.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. The General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Editions, is hereby amended in Chapter 13 by adding at the end thereof the following new sections: -

Section 98. There shall be a board of registration of irrigation contractors, in this section and in sections ninety-nine and one hundred called the board, consisting of seven members to be appointed by the governor, citizens of the commonwealth, four of whom shall have been engaged in the irrigation contracting industry for a period of five years or more prior to their appointment and who hold a certified irrigation contractor or certified irrigation designer designation in good standing with the Irrigation Association, two of whom shall have experience as manufacturer or distributor of irrigation equipment, systems or components thereof, , and one of whom shall be a representative of the public who is a professional engineer or landscape architect, subject to the provisions of section nine B. As the term of office of a member of the board expires, his successor shall be appointed in like manner for a term of four years. Any vacancy in the membership occurring other than by expiration of a term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the expired term only. Each member shall continue to serve until the qualification of his successor. The governor may also fill any vacancy in the board for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 99. The board shall hold at least two regular meetings each year and may hold such special meetings as it may determine. At the first regular meeting each year, the board shall organize and choose a chairman who shall be a member of the board and a secretary who may, but need not, be a member of the board. At all meetings of the board a quorum shall consist of four members.

Section 100. The members of the board shall serve without compensation, except that there shall be paid by the commonwealth to the secretary, whether a member of the board or not, a salary of five hundred dollars. Each member shall receive from the commonwealth the necessary travel and other expenses actually incurred by him in the performance of his duties. The board may appoint such clerks as may be necessary; provided that the salary of the secretary and expenses of the members of the board and its employees, and the expenses of the board, shall not be more than the receipts for registration and from other sources that have been received by the state treasurer from the board.

SECTION 2. The General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 Official Editions, is hereby amended in Chapter 112 by adding at the end thereof the following new sections: -

Section __. Definitions

The following words as used in this section and sections two hundred and twenty-eight to two hundred and thirty-six, inclusive, unless the context otherwise requires, shall have the following meanings:

“Board”, the Board of Registration of Irrigation Contractors.

“Business permit”, a business that holds a permit as approved by the board entitling it to be called by the title “irrigation contracting business” and which employs at least one irrigation contractor, certified under the provisions of sections two hundred and twenty-eight to two hundred and thirty-six, inclusive.

“Certified irrigation contractor”, an individual who is certified as such with the Irrigation Association.

“Division”, the Massachusetts Division of Insurance.

“Irrigation Association”, professional trade organization that establishes and maintains industry standards and guidelines for certification, education and professional development and promotes modern water management skills and techniques for irrigated agriculture, turf, landscape, and golf.

“Irrigation contracting”, the construction, installation, repair maintenance, improvement, winterization, alteration and management of any portion of an irrigation system.

“Irrigation contractor”, a person who holds a certificate entitling him to be called by the title “irrigation contractor” in the commonwealth under the authority of section two hundred and twenty-seven.

“Irrigation system”, any assemblage of components, materials or special equipment which is constructed and permanently installed predominantly underground for controlled dispersion of water from any safe and suitable source, for the purpose of irrigating landscape vegetation or the control of dust and erosion on landscaped areas, including integral pumping systems and including required wiring within that system and connection to a public or private water supply system under the terms and conditions of a contract. An irrigation system, when connected to a potable water supply, shall include a connection beginning at the downstream side of a professionally installed backflow prevention device as required under 248 CMR 10.00. An irrigation system shall not include plumbing, or a plumbing system as defined in Chapter 142 of the General Laws.

“Professional engineer”, a person who, by reason of his special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design acquired by professional education and practical experience, is qualified to practice engineering, as attested by his registration as a professional engineer; provided, however, that registration as a professional engineer shall not qualify a person to practice as an engineer licensed under chapter one hundred and forty-six.

“Professional irrigation consultant”, an independent irrigation designer responsible for the preparation of irrigations system plans and specifications, the observation of system construction and recommendations for irrigation management and who derives more than eighty percent of their income from professional consulting.

Section ___. Powers and Duties of the Board of Registration of Irrigation Contractors

The board shall review applications for certification, register and issue certificates of registration, take appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to the assessment of penalties or the suspension or revocation of said certification, require continuing education requirements, and maintain a current roster of irrigation contractors in the commonwealth.

The board shall review applications for business permits, issue business permits to firms, partnerships or corporations engaged in the business of irrigation contracting and define any restrictions or requirements regarding the use of such permit.

The board shall take appropriate disciplinary action, including but not limited to the assessment of penalties or the suspension or revocation of said business permit, and maintain a current roster of permitted irrigation contracting businesses in the commonwealth.

The board may adopt, amend, and rescind such rules and regulations, not inconsistent with other provisions of the General Laws, as it deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

Section ___. Certificates of registration; necessity; display

No person shall construct, install, repair, improve, winterize, or alter any portion of an irrigation system in the commonwealth nor shall they represent themselves to be an irrigation contractor or use the title irrigation contractor in the commonwealth on any advertisement, sign, title, card or other device to indicate that such person is an irrigation contractor, unless such person shall have secured from the board a certificate of registration as an irrigation contractor. A person may construct, install, repair, improve or alter any portion of an irrigation system in the commonwealth if under the direct supervision of a certified irrigation contractor.

Every holder of a certificate of such registration shall display it in a conspicuous place in his principal office or place of employment, and on any plans specifically used in the development, management, and installation of an irrigation system and on all advertisements, signs, tiles, cards and vehicles.

No firm, partnership or corporation shall represent themselves as an irrigation contracting business or use the title irrigation contracting business in the commonwealth on any advertisement, sign, title, card or other device to indicate that such person is an irrigation contracting business, unless such firm, partnership or corporation shall have secured from the board a business permit as an irrigation contracting business or is acting under the direct supervision of a certified irrigation contractor. Every holder of a business permit shall display it in a conspicuous place in its principal office and on any vehicles used for such commercial purposes.

Nothing herein shall be construed to prevent a firm, partnership or corporation from using the title “irrigation contractor” or “irrigation contractors”, or similar title provided that the practice of irrigation contracting by such firm, partnership or corporation shall be under the professional and supervisory control of a person registered as an irrigation contractor and the entity holds a valid business permit.

Section ___. Qualifications of applicants for certification

(a)Before being examined for registration as an irrigation contractor, each applicant shall submit evidence to the board that they are at least eighteen years of age and of good moral character; are a citizen of the United States or have legally declared their intention of so becoming; and is duly certified in good standing with the nationally recognized Irrigation Association as a certified irrigation contractor. Applications shall include but not be limited to the applicant’s name, home address, social security number, and most recent W-2. Applicants shall attest, under penalty of law, that the information provided in the application is true, accurate and complete and will acknowledge that there are, or may be, significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines and/or imprisonment, for knowingly submitting false, inaccurate or in- complete information or statements. Said information and acknowledgements shall be completed on a form provided or approved by the Board. If, at any time, the Board finds that an applicant obtained a landscape irrigation contractor certificate or a business permit under false pretenses, such findings shall be cause for revocation. Additional documentation may be required if the Board deems it necessary to determine whether the applicant meets the above criteria.

Section ___. Qualifications for business permits

Before being examined for an original business permit or renewal of a business permit, applicants are required to provide proof of liability and workers compensation policies. Applicants must also provide the name of the business, address, federal tax identification number. Said proof of insurance and business information shall be completed on a form provided or approved by the Board and shall be issued in the name of the business permit holder. The board shall be listed as the certificate holder and notified in any lapses of coverage.

Section ___. Examinations; rules and regulations

The board shall adopt rules and regulations including but not limited to the establishment of an electronic registration system and shall publish appropriate announcements. Except as hereinafter provided, every applicant for registration as an irrigation contractor shall be required, in addition to all other requirements, to establish, by written examination through the Irrigation Association, his competency to plan, construct, manage, install, and supervise the installation of irrigation contracting systems.

Section ___. Exemptions

The following shall not be required to be certified pursuant to sections two hundred and twenty-eight to two hundred and thirty-six, inclusive:

(a) An employee working under the direct supervision of an on-site certified irrigation contractor.

(b) A homeowner who installs an irrigation system at his or her place of residence.

(d) Anyone installing an irrigation system to irrigate their own field crops, grain, soybeans, hay, fruits, vegetables, Christmas trees, horticultural specialties to be offered for sale, including nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, and turf on turf farms.

(e) Vendors of irrigation contracting components, materials, or equipment who perform only such functions as delivery, rendering of advice or assistance in the installation or normal warranty service or exchange of defective or damaged goods.

(f) Duly certified and in good standing landscape architects and professional engineers.

(g) Professional irrigation consultant as defined by this statute

Section ___. Certificate of registration and business permit fees

Applicants for certificates of registration and for business permits shall pay a fee, to be established bi-annually by the secretary for administration and finance pursuant to section three B of chapter seven and shall be paid to the board on or before the thirty-first day of January of every other year. Each initial certificate of registration issued in accordance with this act shall expire on January 31 of the second calendar year following issuance. All certificates of registration issued thereafter shall remain valid for a period of two years and shall expire January 31 of the second calendar year. A new permit issued anytime after the January 31 issuance date shall remain valid until the regular January 31 date of expiration.

The board may assess a penalty to be added to the amount of the certificate for delinquent payments.

Failure to renew certificate of registration within sixty days after notification by the board that said certificate has expired, shall require such applicant to register anew and may require re-examination, subject to the discretion of the board.

Fees for duplicate certificates shall also be established bi-annually by the secretary for administration and finance and shall be collected at the time of the request for such documents.

Fees for business permits shall be determined bi-annually by the secretary for administration and finance pursuant to section three B of chapter seven and shall be paid to the board. Each initial business permit issued in accordance with this act shall expire on January 31 of the second calendar year following issuance. All permits issued thereafter shall remain valid for a period of two years and shall expire January 31of the second calendar year. A new permit issued anytime after the January 31 issuance date shall remain valid until the regular January 31 date of expiration.

Section ___. Suspension, revocation or refusal of certificates and business permits; re-issuance

The board may refuse to issue, renew, suspend, or revoke the certificate of registration or business permit upon proof satisfactory to the board:

(a) that the holder of such certificate of registration or business permit is in violation of any provision of sections two hundred and twenty-seven to two hundred and thirty-five, inclusive, or of any rule or regulation promulgated by the board.

(b) that such certificate of registration or business permit was obtained by fraud or misrepresentation.

(c) that any money or thing of value, except fees prescribed or authorized by said sections, was paid or received to secure the issuance of such certificate of registration or business permit.

(d) that the holder of such certificate of registration or business permit has been guilty of a felony.

(e) that the holder of such certificate of registration or business permit has been guilty of fraud or deceit, or of gross negligence, incompetence, or misconduct, in the use of the title of irrigation contractor; or

(f) that the holder of such certificate of registration or business permit has permitted or suffered his certificate to be affixed to any system plans that were not prepared by him or under his personal supervision by his regularly employed subordinates.

The board may reissue a certificate of registration or business permit to any person whose certificate of registration or business permit has been revoked. Application for the re-issuance of a certificate of registration or business permit shall be made in such manner as the board may direct.

Section ___. Unlawful conduct; penalties

It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(a) hold himself as an irrigation contractor unless he is registered under the provisions of sections two hundred and twenty-seven to two hundred and thirty-five, inclusive.

(b) present as his own the certificate of registration of another.

(d) falsely impersonate any other registrant of like or different name.

(e) use or attempt to use a certificate of registration that has been revoked; or

(f) otherwise violate any of the provisions of said sections.

A fine of not less than fifteen hundred dollars nor more than twenty-five hundred dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both shall be set for a first offense. A fine of not less than twenty-five hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars, or by imprisonment for not more than two year, or both shall be set for each and every subsequent offense. Violations shall be considered unfair and deceptive acts and subject to the provisions of Chapter 93A of the General Laws.

Name:	District/Address:	Date Added:
David T. Vieira	3rd Barnstable	2/18/2021
Paul A. Schmid, III	8th Bristol	2/26/2021