LOW-VOLTAGE ELEC. FENCE INSTALLATION                              S.B. 757 (S-1) & 758 (S-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

Senate Bill 757 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Senate Bill 758 (Substitute S-1 as reported)

Sponsor:  Senator Marty Knollenberg

Committee:  Energy and Technology

CONTENT

Senate Bills 757 (S-1) and 758 (S-1) would amend the Skilled Trades Regulation Act and the Single State Construction Code Act, respectively, to make exceptions from permitting requirements for the installation, maintenance, replacement, or servicing of a low-voltage electric fence.

Under each bill, "low-voltage electric fence" would mean an alarm system that consists of a fence structure and an energizer that produces an electric charge on contact with the fence structure and meets all of the following: 1) the fence is installed in a location zoned for a nonresidential use; 2) the energizer is powered by a commercial storage battery that does not exceed 12 volts; and 3) the electric charge produced by the fence upon contact does not exceed energizer characteristics of an International Electrotechnical Commission Standard.

Article 7 of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act governs electricians and electrical contractors. Article 7 does not apply in a municipality with an ordinance that provides licensure standards at least as stringent as those in Article 7 and meets other criteria. However, the ordinance may not require a provider to obtain a permit to install, maintain, replace, or service any electrical wiring, equipment, or devices associated with a business monitoring system or with a home monitoring system.

The Single State Construction Code Act states that a permit is not required under the Act or the State Construction Code for the installation, maintenance, replacement, or servicing of any electrical wiring, equipment, or devices related to or associated with a business monitoring system or with a home monitoring system if performed by a provider.

Each bill would refer in these provisions to a business monitoring system, a home monitoring system, or a low-voltage electric fence.

Also, under Senate Bill 758 (S-1), a low-voltage electric fence to be identified with warning signs, be enclosed by a nonelectric fence or wall, and be designed to restrict access.

MCL 339.5733 (S.B. 757)                                          Legislative Analyst:  Stephen Jackson

MCL 125.1528a (S.B. 758)

FISCAL IMPACT

The bills would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.

Date Completed:  3-29-18                                               Fiscal Analyst:  Michael Siracuse

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.