The following Senate bills are being heard Tuesday, April 10th at 1:30 p.m. in the House Banking and Business Committee.

Preemption/Occupational Licensing

SB 1174 by Sen. David and Rep. Mulready creates the Freedom to Work Act prohibiting a political subdivision from imposing any occupational fees or licensing requirements on any profession if the political subdivision does not already impose occupational fees or licensing requirements on that profession.  Existing regulation may continue on condition that the occupational fees do not exceed $25 per year.   If the fees exceed $25, then the licensing authority shall immediately reduce fees to the limits of this bill.  No regulations can add additional licensing requirements to those already imposed by a state licensing authority.  Municipalities must stop fees and licensing requirements if a state licensing authority imposes any new requirements on any profession that was previously unregulated by the state.  Fees must be waived for low-income individuals and military families.  The bill contains further detailed regulations, limitations and prohibitions.  

Licensed Lenders/Municipal Prohibition

SB 1494 by Sen. Leewright  and Rep. Lawson preempts the entire field of legislation in this state touching in any way those businesses and occupations licensed, regulated and controlled under the supervision of the Department of Consumer Credit to the complete exclusion of any order, ordinance or regulation of any municipality or other political subdivision.  Any existing or future regulation, except as provided in the exception section, are null and void.  The exceptions from the preemption includes ordinances on sales tax, construction and building code permits, signage, parking and hours of operation and health, safety and general welfare at the business's physical location.  The bill contains details.    

Please contact your members of the House Banking and Business Committee by clicking here and ask them to vote NO on this bill.