SF 1653 Summary

• Replaces independent contractor exemption certificates with a registration system for construction workers, effective July 1, 2012, eliminating the previous four-year certificate requirement

• Establishes nine factors for determining independent contractor status including separate business, federal tax identification, specific contract terms, expense responsibility, compensation on commission/per-job basis, and potential profit or loss

• Implements a pilot registration program for construction service providers from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2014 with no registration fees; commissioner must report to legislature by January 1, 2014 with recommendations for amendments

• Creates enforcement provisions including maximum $2,000 penalties for failure to register (forgivable if person registers within 30 days), and prohibits requiring workers to adopt independent contractor status through coercion or misrepresentation

• Makes technical changes to apprenticeship and building contractor licensing provisions, including updating terminology from "apprentice" to "apprenticeship," expanding apprenticeship programs to all ages, and revising continuing education requirements for online courses