LOW-VOLTAGE ELEC. FENCE INSTALLATION S.B. 757 & 758:
SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bills 757 and 758 (as introduced 1-18-18)
Sponsor: Senator Marty Knollenberg
Committee: Energy and Technology
CONTENT
Senate Bills 757 and 758 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.
Each bill would take effect 90 days after being enacted.
Both bills would define "low-voltage electric fence" as 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:
-- The low-voltage electric fence is installed for a nonresidential use.
-- The energizer is powered by a commercial storage battery that does not exceed 12 volts.
-- The electric charge produced by the low-voltage fence upon contact does not exceed energizer characteristics set for in Paragraph 22.108 and depicted in Figure 102 of International Electrotechnical Commission Standard, IEC 60335-2-76, current edition.
In addition, under Senate Bill 758, a low-voltage electric fence would have to meet the following requirements:
-- Be identified using warning signs attached to the fence at intervals of not more than 60 feet.
-- Be completely enclosed by a nonelectric fence or wall.
-- Be designed so that access to or within a fenced area was restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access were necessary for life-saving or firefighting purposes.
A fire code official could require a key box to be installed in an accessible location. The key box would have to be of an approved type listed in accordance with UL 1037 (which specifies certain requirements for antitheft alarms and devices), and would have to contain keys to gain access as required by the fire code official.
Each warning sign would have to include the international symbol for shock and be in both English and Spanish.
Senate Bill 757
Article 7 of the Skilled Trades Regulation Act governs electricians and electrical contractors. Article 7 does not apply within a municipality with an ordinance that provides licensure
standards at least as stringent as those in Article 7, provides for similar enforcement, and meets other criteria.
The Act states Article 7 may not be construed as limiting the power of a municipality to enact an ordinance for the licensing of people as electrical or specialty contractors that have a place of business located in the municipality, or to provide for the licensing of journeymen electricians, sign specialists, or fire alarm specialty technicians who reside in the municipality. However, the ordinance may not require a provider to procure 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.
Under the bill, the ordinance also could not require a provider to procure a permit to install, maintain, replace, or service any electrical wiring, equipment, or devices associated with a low-voltage electric fence.
Senate Bill 758
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.
Under the bill, a permit also would not be required for the installation, maintenance, replacement, or servicing of any electrical wiring, equipment, or devices related to or associated with a low-voltage electric fence if performed by a provider.
MCL 339.5733 (S.B. 757) Legislative Analyst: Stephen Jackson
MCL 125.1528a (S.B. 758)
FISCAL IMPACT
The bills would have to no fiscal impact on State or local government.
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.