Local enforcement of licensed plumbers preemption

A bill for an act

relating to the State Building Code; preempting local enforcement of licensed

plumbers; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.44.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 326B.44, is amended to read:

326B.44 LOCAL REGULATIONS.

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(a)
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Any of the following entities may, by ordinance, adopt local regulations providing

for plumbing permits, approval of plans and specifications, and inspections of plumbing,

which regulations are not in conflict with the plumbing code: any city having a system of

waterworks or sewerage, regardless of population; any town having a population of 5,000

or more according to the last federal census, exclusive of any statutory cities located therein;

and the Metropolitan Airports Commission. No such entity shall prohibit plumbing

contractors licensed by the commissioner from engaging in or working at the business of

plumbing, except cities and statutory cities which, prior to April 21, 1933, by ordinance

required the licensing of plumbers. No such entity shall require any person who engages in

the business of plumbing to post a bond as a prerequisite for engaging in the business of

plumbing, except the bond to the state required under section
326B.46
and except any

performance bond required under a contract with the person for the performance of plumbing

work for the entity. No such entity shall require any person who engages in the business of

plumbing to maintain public liability insurance as a prerequisite for engaging in the business

of plumbing, except the insurance required under section
326B.46
and except any public

liability insurance required under a contract with the person for the performance of plumbing

work for the entity. No city or town may require a license for persons performing building

sewer or water service installation who have completed pipe laying training as prescribed

by the commissioner of labor and industry. Any city by ordinance may prescribe regulations,

reasonable standards, and inspections and grant permits to any person engaged in the business

of installing water softeners, who is not licensed as a contractor by the commissioner, to

connect water softening and water filtering equipment to private residence water distribution

systems, where provision has been previously made therefor and openings left for that

purpose or by use of cold water connections to a domestic water heater; where it is not

necessary to rearrange, make any extension or alteration of, or addition to any pipe, fixture

or plumbing connected with the water system except to connect the water softener, and

provided the connections so made comply with minimum standards prescribed by the

Plumbing Board.

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(b) No political subdivision, including a home rule charter or statutory city, county, or

town, may require a license, registration, certification, examination, or qualification for a

person licensed by the commissioner to perform plumbing work.

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