MS HB1398

Reenacts licensing and regulation provisions for residential builders and remodelers under Mississippi Code Section 73-59-1 through 73-59-19, including definitions, licensing requirements, examination procedures, and disciplinary actions.

Requires residential builders and remodelers to obtain annual licenses (active or inactive status) from the State Board of Contractors, with initial license fees of $50 and maximum fees of $100.

Establishes licensing thresholds: residential builder projects exceeding $50,000 for structures no more than 3 floors, and remodeler projects exceeding $10,000 for existing residences.

Authorizes the board to conduct investigations, hold disciplinary hearings, and impose penalties ranging from $100 to $5,000 per violation, plus suspend or revoke licenses for violations including fraud, gross negligence, failure to maintain workers' compensation insurance, and non-payment of contractual obligations.

Extends the repealer date for residential builder and remodeler licensing provisions from July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2018, maintaining continuity of the regulatory program.