SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3158

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 12, 2024

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 3158.

     As amended, this bill revises the requirements concerning licensure for elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanic's licenses, including provisions regarding out-of-State reciprocity.

     Current law provides that the Elevator, Escalator, and Moving Walkway Mechanics Licensing Board may in its discretion grant licenses without examination to applicants so licensed by other states; provided that equal reciprocity is provided for New Jersey licensed mechanics by the law of the applicant's domiciliary state and that the domiciliary state's standards are equal to or comparable to those of New Jersey.

     This bill removes the requirement of equal reciprocity, thereby allowing the board to grant licenses without examination to applicants with comparable licenses in other states, provided that the domiciliary state's standards are equal to or comparable to those of this State, even if the domiciliary state does not provide reciprocity to New Jersey licensees, or that the domiciliary state’s apprenticeship program is registered by the United States Department of Labor.  The bill further stipulates that an individual who obtains a license through reciprocity and seeks renewal of the license is to complete the continuing education requirements in New Jersey to qualify for renewal.  Additionally, the bill expands the types of certification that may be completed to qualify an individual to obtain a license through the board.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  provide that applicants with comparable licenses in other states can obtain a New Jersey license without examination if an apprenticeship program in the applicant’s domiciliary state is registered by the United States Department of Labor;

      (2)  expand the type of certification that may be completed to qualify for licensure through the board to include certification by the National Association of Elevator Contractors Certified Elevator Technician Program; or the joint apprentice and training committee of the elevator industry of Local 3, IBEW, EE division training program or an apprenticeship program for elevator mechanics; and

      (3)  stipulate that an out-of-State individual who obtains an elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanic's license without examination is to complete the continuing education requirements in New Jersey to qualify for renewal of the license.