CHAPTER 36-16
ELECTRICIANS AND ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS
36-16-1 License required to engage in electrical contracting--Purpose of regulation--Noncompliance as misdemeanor.
36-16-2 Definition of terms.
36-16-3 State Electrical Commission--Number and terms of members.
36-16-4 Commission member involved in education of electrical engineers or electricians.
36-16-4.1 Lay members of commission--Appointment and term of office.
36-16-5 Oath of office--Tenure.
36-16-6 Quorum of commission.
36-16-7 Officers of commission--Expenses of members.
36-16-8 Meetings of commission--Notice.
36-16-8.1 Commission continued within Department of Labor and Regulation--Records and reports.
36-16-9 Electrical commission fund--Collections and disbursements.
36-16-10 Expense of commission.
36-16-11 36-16-11. Repealed by SL 1982, ch 16, § 32.
36-16-12 Seal of commission--Scope of rules.
36-16-13 License required--Examination--Application--Fees.
36-16-13.1 36-16-13.1. Repealed by SL 2019, ch 169, § 6.
36-16-13.2 Issuance of license to public entities.
36-16-13.3 Inactive license--Performance of job requiring license prohibited--Exemption--Change of inactive license.
36-16-14 Contractor license required for installation of wiring or parts--Farm and residential wiring by Class B electrician.
36-16-15 Electrical wiring--Personal residence or farmstead--Inspection and fee--Report--Violation as misdemeanor--Promulgation of rules--"Residence" defined.
36-16-16 Persons exempt from license requirement.
36-16-17 Licenses--Biennial fees.
36-16-18 Repealed
36-16-19 Experience required for contractor's license.
36-16-20 Undertaking and insurance required of contractor or Class B electrician--Initial and renewal deposit--Disbursement from fund--Waiver.
36-16-21 Apprentice registration--Fee--Supervision of work.
36-16-22 Evidence of experience required for license--Partnership or corporate license.
36-16-23 Reciprocal licenses to electricians from other states.
36-16-24 36-16-24. Repealed by SL 1986, ch 315, § 10.
36-16-25 Approval of license--Emergency farm and residential repairs exempt--Expiration and renewal of licenses.
36-16-26 Contractor's license terminated on death--Continuation of business.
36-16-27 Electrical work to comply with rules--Wiring permit required before connection--Fees.
36-16-28 Report to commission of electrical work done.
36-16-29 State commission inspectors and inspections--Report of inspection.
36-16-30 Installation inspection fees--Number of inspections--Promulgation of rules.
36-16-31 Condemnation of hazardous installations--Notice--Appeal to commission and circuit court.
36-16-32 Correction of condemned installation required before reconnection.
36-16-33 Grounds for refusal to issue license, revocation, or suspension.
36-16-34 Failure to register, obtain license or report wiring as misdemeanor.
36-16-34.1 Action for injunction--Election of remedies.
36-16-35 More stringent local and utility requirements permitted.
36-16-36 Civil liability for damages and injuries unaffected--Public liability not created.
36-16-37 Severability of provisions.
36-16-38 Promulgation of rules for reinstatement of expired license.
36-16-1. License required to engage in electrical contracting--Purpose of regulation--Noncompliance as misdemeanor.
Any person, firm, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation engaged, or offering to engage, in business as an electrical contractor as defined in § 36-16-2 or any person performing the work as defined in this chapter, shall obtain a license from the State Electrical Commission before any person may undertake and perform such work to the end that any such work will be safely and properly installed in accordance with approved standards for such work. It is a Class 2 misdemeanor for any person, firm, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation to engage in such business or such work unless the provisions of this chapter are complied with.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 1; SL 1977, ch 190, § 183; SL 1986, ch 315, § 1; SL 1991, ch 308, § 1; SL 1993, ch 281, § 1; SL 1994, ch 351, § 77.
36-16-2. Definition of terms.
Terms used in this chapter mean:
(1) "Apprentice electrician," a person learning the trade under the supervision and employment of an electrical contractor, journeyman electrician or Class B electrician, or a person learning the trade under the supervision of a 501(d) electrician, or a person employed by a public entity or private corporation, firm or partnership who is learning the trade under the supervision of an electrical contractor or Class B electrician who is employed by the same public entity or private corporation, limited liability company, firm, or partnership;
(2) "Class B electrician," a person having the necessary qualifications, training, technical knowledge and at least thirty-six months' experience in wiring, installing and repairing electrical apparatus and equipment in accordance with the standard rules established by the State Electrical Commission;
(3) "Electrical contractor," a person having the necessary qualifications, training, experience, and technical knowledge to plan, lay out, and supervise the installation and repair of electrical wiring, apparatus, and equipment for electric light, heat and power in accordance with the standard rules governing such work; and who undertakes or offers to undertake with another to plan for, lay out, supervise and install or to make additions, alterations and repairs in the installation of such work;
(4) "Electrical inspector," a person experienced in all classes of electrical work and either:
(a) Is a graduate of a recognized electrical school as approved by State Electrical Commission rules and has a total of four years of experience in electrical work, excluding school experience, or
(b) Has at least six years of practical experience in electrical wiring.
A qualified inspector may be issued an electrical contractor's license if the qualified inspector pays the necessary fees as set forth in this chapter;
(5) "Journeyman electrician," a person having the necessary qualifications, training, technical knowledge and at least four years of experience in wiring, installing, and repairing electrical apparatus and equipment in accordance with the standard rules established by the State Electrical Commission;
(6) "Maintenance electrician," a person working under a maintenance electrician's license of a public entity, firm, partnership, limited liability company, or corporation;
(7) "501(d) electrician," a person having the necessary qualifications, training and technical knowledge in wiring, installing, and repairing electrical apparatus and equipment in accordance with the administrative rules promulgated by the State Electrical Commission, pursuant to chapter 1-26. A 501(d) licensee is restricted to wiring on 501(d) properties within the State of South Dakota. 501(d) is the reference to the federal internal revenue code that provides the exemption for a religious or apostolic association or corporation.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 2; SL 1967, ch 128, § 1; SL 1986, ch 315, § 3; SL 1987, ch 273, § 1; SL 1991, ch 308, § 6; SL 1994, ch 351, § 78; SL 2009, ch 183, § 1; SL 2021, ch 177, § 1.
36-16-3. State Electrical Commission--Number and terms of members.
The State Electrical Commission shall perform all functions exercised by the former State Electrical Board. The State Electrical Commission consists of seven members to be appointed by the Governor for a term of three years. No member may serve more than three consecutive full terms. However, appointment to fill an unexpired term is not considered a complete term for this purpose. Not all of the members shall be of the same political party. The Governor may stagger the terms to enable the commission to have different terms expire each year. Any member appointed to the commission prior to July 1, 2005, shall serve the four-year term to which the member was originally appointed. Any member appointed to the commission after July 1, 2005, shall serve a three-year term. One member shall represent an electric utility, one member shall be a licensed electrical contractor, one member shall be a licensed electrician with at least a journeyman level license and one member shall have fire safety expertise.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 3; SL 1980, ch 380, §§ 17 to 20; SL 2005, ch 199, § 47.
36-16-4. Commission member involved in education of electrical engineers or electricians.
The Governor shall appoint one member of the State Electrical Commission who shall be involved in the education of electrical engineers or electricians. The member shall be reimbursed travel expenses, pursuant to § 3-9-2, that are related to the discharge of the member's duty under this section.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 3; SL 1980, ch 380, § 19; SL 2004, ch 17, § 235; SL 2004, ch 250, § 1; SL 2005, ch 199, § 48; SL 2011, ch 179, § 1; SL 2021, ch 177, § 2.
36-16-4.1. Lay members of commission--Appointment and term of office.
The membership of the State Electrical Commission shall include two lay members who are users of the services regulated by the commission. The term lay member who is a user refers to a person who is not licensed by the commission but where practical uses the service licensed, and the meaning shall be liberally construed to implement the purpose of this section. The lay members shall be appointed by the Governor and, after the initial appointments, both such lay members shall have the same term of office as members of the commission appointed under § 36-16-3.
Source: SL 1973, ch 2, § 58.
36-16-5. Oath of office--Tenure.
A member of the State Electrical Commission shall qualify by taking and subscribing the oath of office required by other state officers, which shall be filed in the Office of the Secretary of State. Each member shall hold his office until his successor is appointed and qualified.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 3.
36-16-6. Quorum of commission.
A majority of the members of the State Electrical Commission shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 4 (2).
36-16-7. Officers of commission--Expenses of members.
The members of the State Electrical Commission shall select from their members a president and a secretary-treasurer. The members shall receive travel expenses, pursuant to § 3-9-2, that are related to the discharge of their duties under this chapter.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 4 (1); SL 1986, ch 27, § 29; SL 1994, ch 301, § 1; SL 2021, ch 177, § 3.
36-16-8. Meetings of commission--Notice.
The State Electrical Commission shall hold a meeting in the month of July of each year in Pierre and may hold such other meetings as are necessary to review qualifications and perform the other duties coming before the commission. Special meetings shall be held at the time and place determined by the president, and upon notice given by the executive director to each member of the commission directly, at least seventy-two hours prior to the meeting.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 4 (3); SL 1994, ch 301, § 2; SL 2021, ch 177, § 4.
36-16-8.1. Commission continued within Department of Labor and Regulation--Records and reports.
The State Electrical Commission shall continue within the Department of Labor and Regulation, and shall retain all its prescribed functions, including administrative functions. The commission shall submit such records, information, and reports in the form and at such times as required by the secretary of labor and regulation, except that the commission shall report at least annually.
Source: SL 1973, ch 2 (Ex. Ord. 73-1), §§ 3(d), 56(i); SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 48; SL 2011, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 11-1), § 33, eff. Apr. 12, 2011.
36-16-9. Electrical commission fund--Collections and disbursements.
All money coming into the custody of the commission shall be paid by the commission to the state treasurer on or before the tenth day after receipt of the money. The state treasurer shall credit the money to the South Dakota electrical commission fund. The money in the South Dakota electrical commission fund is continuously appropriated to the commission for the purpose of paying the expense of administering and enforcing the provisions of this chapter. However, the total expense incurred may not exceed the total money collected by the commission under the provisions of this chapter.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 4 (5); SL 1994, ch 301, § 3; SL 2011, ch 179, § 2.
36-16-10. Expense of commission.
All reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in conducting the business of the State Electrical Commission shall be allowed and paid by the commission.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 4 (4).
36-16-12. Seal of commission--Scope of rules.
The State Electrical Commission shall adopt a seal. The commission shall promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, pertaining to: license applications, examinations, continuing education, qualifications, wiring permits, electrical installation, inspection fees and procedures; local inspection systems; modular homes and structures; carnivals and seasonal dwellings and supplementary power and cogeneration systems.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 5 (1); revised pursuant to SL 1972, ch 15, § 4; SL 1986, ch 302, § 22; SL 1994, ch 302, § 1; SL 1995, ch 221, § 1.
36-16-13. License required--Examination--Application--Fees.
Any person, partnership, company, corporation, or association that for a fixed sum, price, fee, percentage, or other consideration, undertakes or offers to undertake with another to plan, lay out, supervise, install, make additions, make alterations, or make repairs, in the installation of wiring, apparatus, or equipment for electric lights, heat, or power, shall be licensed by the State Electrical Commission. The commission shall issue a license to a qualified person under this section in the class defined under § 36-16-2 for which the person applies after successful completion of the examination required by the commission.
The commission shall promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, establishing fees for the examination and the application required under this section. The commission may charge, or may authorize a third party that administers the examination to charge, each person an examination fee not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars per examination or reexamination. The application fee may not exceed one hundred dollars per occurrence.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 6 (1); SL 1967, ch 128, § 3; SL 1978, ch 272, § 1; SL 1986, ch 302, § 23; SL 2009, ch 184, § 1; SL 2011, ch 179, § 3; SL 2019, ch 169, § 1; SL 2021, ch 178, § 1.
36-16-13.2. Issuance of license to public entities.
The State Electrical Commission may issue a maintenance electrician's license to a public entity, firm, partnership or corporation. The maintenance electrician license shall be limited to electrical maintenance work, as defined by electrical commission rules, performed at the public entity, firm, partnership or corporation property. The license shall be issued according to rules adopted by the State Electrical Commission.
Source: SL 1986, ch 315, § 6.
36-16-13.3. Inactive license--Performance of job requiring license prohibited--Exemption--Change of inactive license.
The State Electrical Commission may issue an inactive Class B electrician license, inactive electrical contractor license, an inactive 501(d) electrician license, and an inactive journeyman electrician license. No person holding an inactive license may perform any job requiring a Class B electrician or electrical contractor's license. The person holding any inactive license is exempt from the requirements of § 36-16-20. The commission may promulgate rules to determine the requirements a person holding an inactive license shall meet if the person applies to change his inactive license to a license allowing him to perform work for which a license is required.
Source: SL 1987, ch 279, § 1; SL 1991, ch 308, § 2; SL 2009, ch 183, § 3.
36-16-14. Contractor license required for installation of wiring or parts--Farm and residential wiring by Class B electrician.
No contract, agreement, or understanding with another for the installation of electrical wiring or the installation of electrical parts of other apparatus shall be entered into by anyone not an electrical contractor. Provided, however, that a Class B electrician, as defined in § 36-16-2, is authorized to enter into a contract, undertaking, or agreement for the installation of electrical wiring and his authority under the contract, undertaking or agreement is limited to the installation of farm electrical wiring, residential electrical wiring, the installation of electrical equipment, appliances and apparatus, in relation to said farm and residential wiring.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 15; SL 1978, ch 272, § 2.
36-16-15. Electrical wiring--Personal residence or farmstead--Inspection and fee--Report--Violation as misdemeanor--Promulgation of rules--"Residence" defined.
No license is required of a person installing electric wiring in or on:
(1) The person's own residence, including attached or unattached accessory structures and the parcel of land upon which the structures are situated;
(2) The person's own farmstead;
(3) The premises of a single-family dwelling unit that is in the process of being constructed if the person owns the premises and intends to occupy the premises as the person's residence when construction is complete; or
(4) The premises of any private, non-habitable property owned by the person that is not substantially used in connection with a trade or business of the person.
Entrance installations in excess of sixty amperes capacity, circuits, or the installation of electrical parts of other apparatus shall be subject to inspection and payment of an inspection fee as provided by §§ 36-16-29 and 36-16-30. Failure to report this work as required by law is a Class 2 misdemeanor.
The commission shall promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to establish criteria for authorizing persons to install electric wiring under this section.
For the purposes of this section, the term "residence" means a detached owner-occupied single-family dwelling.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 6 (3) as added by SL 1967, ch 128, § 3; SL 1986, ch 315, § 4; SL 2020, ch 160, § 1; SL 2022, ch 150, § 1; SL 2024, ch 158, § 1.
36-16-16. Persons exempt from license requirement.
The following persons are not required to hold an electrician's license:
(1) An employee of a utility engaged in the manufacture and distribution of electrical energy if engaged in work directly pertaining to the manufacture and distribution of electrical energy, or a person that is engaged in work pertaining directly to such services if the work is designed, supervised, or installed by a person qualified in the work being done. This exemption terminates at the first point of service attachment, except for the installing or testing of electric meters and measuring devices and the maintenance of their service;
(2) An employee of telephone, telegraph, radio and television communication services and pipelines, or a person that is engaged in work pertaining directly to such services if the work is designed, supervised or installed by a person qualified in the work being done;
(3) A person doing electrical work on automotive equipment, on equipment in a mine, ship, railway, or rolling stock, or on equipment in a packing plant supervised and regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources;
(4) A person replacing a lamp and connection of a portable electrical device to a suitable receptable that has been permanently installed;
(5) A radio and appliance service repair department;
(6) A person doing maintenance on an oil burner and on a space heater where installation of same has been effected by a Class B or journeyman electrician in accordance with this chapter;
(7) An architect, designer, or engineer engaged in the planning and laying out of electrical work;
(8) An employee of an electrical utility engaged in the installation and maintenance of utility street lighting, traffic signal devices or electric utility-owned security lights or persons or companies when engaged in work pertaining directly to such services, if the work is designed, supervised, or installed by a person qualified in the work being done; or
(9) An employee of an alarm and communications company or service when wiring an alarm or communications system where the system is classified as power limited class 2 or class 3 signaling circuits, power limited fire protective signaling circuits, class 2 or class 3 alarm circuits, or communications circuits or systems; or a person or a company when engaged in work pertaining directly to such wiring, if the work is designed, supervised, or installed by a person qualified in the work being done.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 12; SL 1965, ch 152, § 1; SL 1986, ch 315, § 5; SL 1988, ch 302; SL 1989, ch 327; SL 1991, ch 308, § 6; SL 2011, ch 179, § 4; SL 2021, ch 1 (Ex. Ord. 21-3), § 14, eff. Apr. 19, 2021; SL 2021, ch 177, § 5.
36-16-17. Licenses--Biennial fees.
The State Electrical Commission shall promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to establish and collect biennial fees for licenses. The class of electricians who may be licensed under this chapter, and biennial fees required to be paid for the license, may not exceed the following:
(1) Electrical contractor: biennial license fee, two hundred dollars;
(2) Journeyman electrician: biennial license fee, eighty dollars;
(3) Class B electrician: biennial license fee, two hundred dollars;
(4) Electrical inspector: biennial license fee, one hundred twenty dollars;
(5) Inactive Class B electrician, inactive electrical contractor, inactive 501(d) electrician, or inactive journeyman electrician: biennial license fee, eighty dollars;
(6) Maintenance electrician: biennial license fee, one hundred twenty dollars;
(7) 501(d) electrician; biennial license fee, one hundred twenty dollars.
Before a license is granted to any applicant and for the biennial renewal of such license the applicant shall pay to the treasurer the fee required for the class of license applied for.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, §§ 7, 13; SL 1986, ch 302, § 26; SL 1986, ch 315, § 7; SL 1987, ch 279, § 2; SL 1991, ch 308, §§ 3, 6; SL 1997, ch 219, § 1; SL 2009, ch 183, § 4; SL 2021, ch 178, § 2.
36-16-19. Experience required for contractor's license.
A person shall have at least two years of experience as a journeyman electrician or at least one year of commercial experience as a Class B electrician before making application for an electrical contractor's license.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 2 (4); SL 1978, ch 272, § 3; SL 2021, ch 177, § 6.
36-16-20. Undertaking and insurance required of contractor or Class B electrician--Initial and renewal deposit--Disbursement from fund--Waiver.
Before receiving a license as an electrical contractor or as a Class B electrician, an applicant shall execute and deposit with the State Electrical Commission an undertaking in the sum of ten thousand dollars, and a public liability insurance policy in a sum of not less than one hundred thousand dollars per occurrence and three hundred thousand dollars aggregate limit for bodily injury and property damage insurance with limits of not less than twenty-five thousand dollars per occurrence or a combined single limit of three hundred thousand dollars, or security approved by the commission in a sum equal to that amount, conditioned for the faithful performance of all electrical work undertaken by the electrician and the strict compliance with all the provisions of this chapter and the requirements of the commission. The required undertaking and liability insurance shall be in force at all times with certificates of insurance on file in the commission office. No electrical contractor or Class B electrician licensed under the provisions of this chapter need furnish any additional undertaking for municipal license as such contractor or electrician. In the case of a partnership or corporation, the licensed person is exempt from insurance or undertaking requirements if the employer satisfies the requirements. In addition, a deposit shall be made with the commission in the amount of fifty dollars at the time of the execution of the undertaking and biennially at the time of renewal of the applicant's license. Deposits shall be accumulated by the commission in a special fund to be used for the correction or completion of installations which the contractor or Class B electrician refuses or is unable to correct or complete, for uncollectable inspection fees or administrative fees, administrative costs of maintaining the fund and costs of enforcing provisions of this section. Disbursement from the fund may not exceed ten thousand dollars per occurrence. The commission shall waive the deposit at the time of renewal of the license for electricians who have made an initial deposit under this section if at the time of renewal the fund exceeds fifty thousand dollars. The commission may prescribe forms for the undertaking and may promulgate rules in accordance with chapter 1-26 as necessary to carry out the intent of this section.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 10; SL 1964, ch 105, § 1; SL 1978, ch 272, § 4; SL 1986, ch 315, § 9; SL 1987, ch 274, § 1; SL 1991, ch 308, §§ 4, 6; SL 1992, ch 60, § 2.
36-16-21. Apprentice registration--Fee--Supervision of work.
An apprentice shall register with the State Electrical Commission. The State Electrical Commission may promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to establish and collect a biennial registration fee not to exceed twenty dollars. Biennial fee requirements apply in even-numbered years. The apprentice may not be allowed to work on an installation without personal supervision.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 8; SL 1978, ch 272, § 5; SL 1986, ch 302, § 28; SL 2021, ch 177, § 7.
36-16-22. Evidence of experience required for license--Partnership or corporate license.
An individual applying for a license under this chapter shall pay a fee, take an oath, and submit written evidence of having the required experience. If a partnership, company, corporation, or association applies for a license, an officer or manager thereof shall make the application and take the oath and submit evidence as to experience.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 6 (2); SL 1967, ch 128, § 3; SL 1978, ch 272, § 6; SL 2021, ch 177, § 8.
36-16-23. Reciprocal licenses to electricians from other states.
To the extent that other states which provide for the licensing or registering of electricians provide for similar action, the State Electrical Commission may grant a license of the same grade or class to electricians registered or licensed by other states, upon payment by the applicant of the required fee, after being furnished with proof that the qualifications of the applicant are equal to the qualifications of the holders of a similar license in South Dakota.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 19; SL 1986, ch 302, § 24.
36-16-25. Approval of license--Emergency farm and residential repairs exempt--Expiration and renewal of licenses.
A license issued under this chapter shall be approved by the State Electrical Commission. However, this chapter does not apply to emergency repairs to farmstead and residential wiring. Each license shall be for a term of two years and shall expire at midnight on June thirtieth following the date of issuance of each even-numbered year commencing in 1986, and may be renewed by the commission upon application of the holder of the license, payment of the fee, filing a valid liability insurance policy and payment of the required deposit to the special fund at any time within thirty days from the date of such expiration.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, §§ 6(1), 13; SL 1967, ch 128, § 3; SL 1986, ch 302, § 29; SL 1987, ch 273, § 2; SL 1987, ch 274, § 2; SL 1991, ch 308, § 6.
36-16-26. Contractor's license terminated on death--Continuation of business.
An electrical contractor's license shall terminate upon death of said contractor; however, the State Electrical Commission may authorize the carrying on of said business until arrangements can be made to complete work under contract or to otherwise comply with the provisions of this chapter.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 11 (2).
36-16-27. Electrical work to comply with rules--Wiring permit required before connection--Fees.
All electrical wiring, apparatus, or equipment shall comply with the rules promulgated and adopted by the State Electrical Commission. The rules shall conform to approved methods of construction and promote the safety of life and property. No new electrical service entrance except for communication service may be connected for use until a wiring permit has been furnished to the person, firm, or corporation supplying electrical energy certifying that a wiring permit has been obtained in compliance with the rules promulgated by the commission. No rule specifying a wiring permit fee may exceed fifteen dollars each. No rule specifying a late wiring permit procedure fee and failure to renew permit fees may exceed seven hundred fifty dollars. However, a wiring permit for emergency temporary service may be issued by the commission in accordance with its rules promulgated pursuant to chapter 1-26.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 5 (3); SL 1986, ch 315, § 11; SL 1994, ch 302, § 2; SL 1995, ch 221, § 2; SL 2009, ch 184, § 2.
36-16-28. Report to commission of electrical work done.
Every person registered under the provisions of this chapter or doing electrical work described by § 36-16-15 shall report the same to the State Electrical Commission upon forms furnished by the commission for that purpose.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 14; SL 1986, ch 315, § 12.
36-16-29. State commission inspectors and inspections--Report of inspection.
The State Electrical Commission shall approve inspectors qualified in accordance with subdivision 36-16-2(4) and shall, in compliance with chapter 1-26, establish the rules to be followed by the inspectors. An inspector may inspect any wiring installation and approve or condemn it except on work covered in § 36-16-16. A report of such inspections shall be made on forms prescribed by the commission.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 5 (1), (2); SL 1967, ch 128, § 2; SL 1978, ch 272, § 7; SL 1993, ch 281, § 2.
36-16-30. Installation inspection fees--Number of inspections--Promulgation of rules.
The State Electrical Commission may promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to establish and collect installation inspection fees for:
(1) New residential installations, based on ampere capacity not to exceed three hundred dollars plus circuits;
(2) Service connections on other installations, based on ampere capacity not to exceed three hundred seventy-five dollars plus circuits;
(3) Circuit installations or alterations, based on ampere capacity not to exceed fifty dollars;
(4) Remodeling work for each opening or connection not to exceed three dollars each and one dollar and fifty cents for each additional opening or connection, lighting fixture not to exceed three dollars for the first forty fixtures and not to exceed one dollar and fifty cents for each additional lighting fixture, motor or special equipment not to exceed eighteen dollars;
(5) Apartment buildings per unit not to exceed fifty dollars;
(6) Outdoor or area lighting per lighting standard not to exceed sixty dollars;
(7) Field irrigation systems not to exceed one hundred dollars plus three dollars per motor;
(8) Mobile home service and feeders not to exceed eighty dollars per unit; recreational vehicle service not to exceed twenty dollars per unit;
(9) Swimming pools not to exceed two hundred dollars;
(10) Each late correction order or wiring permit procedure not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars;
(11) Carnivals and seasonal dwellings for each generator or transformer and reinspection of each unit not to exceed thirty dollars;
(12) Wiring permits not to exceed fifteen dollars; and
(13) Modular homes and structures manufactured out-of-state not to exceed one hundred fifty dollars per day plus travel and living expenses.
A minimum fee of one hundred dollars shall be imposed if any fee calculated under this section is less than one hundred dollars.
The commission may also promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to set an allotted number of inspections for each installation under this section.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 5 (2); SL 1967, ch 128, § 2; SL 1986, ch 302, § 25; SL 1994, ch 303; SL 1995, ch 221, § 3; SL 2009, ch 184, § 3; SL 2011, ch 179, § 5; SL 2020, ch 160, § 2; SL 2021, ch 178, § 3.
36-16-31. Condemnation of hazardous installations--Notice--Appeal to commission and circuit court.
Inspectors authorized by the State Electrical Commission to conduct inspections may condemn installations hazardous to life and property and may order service thereto discontinued. Such action may not be taken except after notice to the owner of the property and shall be subject to the owner's right of appeal to the commission. The commission shall comply with chapter 1-26, and its decision may be appealed as provided by chapter 1-26.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 5 (2); SL 1967, ch 128, § 2; revised pursuant to SL 1972, ch 15, § 4.
36-16-32. Correction of condemned installation required before reconnection.
No condemned installation shall be reconnected for service until proof has been furnished that the installation has been brought up to the required standards.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 5 (2); SL 1967, ch 128, § 2.
36-16-33. Grounds for refusal to issue license, revocation, or suspension.
The State Electrical Commission may, in accordance with chapter 1-26, refuse to issue, revoke, or suspend a license, or limit the scope of practice of any licensee for:
(1) Failure to comply with any law, or any rule or order of the commission;
(2) Failure to comply with the National Electric Code as adopted by rule of the commission or local ordinance;
(3) Failure to notify the commission in writing within thirty days following any denial, revocation, or suspension of a certificate, license, or permit issued by any other jurisdiction, or any change of address or employment;
(4) Knowingly aiding and abetting any person who is not licensed or permitted in accordance with this chapter to engage in activity that requires a license under § 36-16-13 or permit under this chapter; or
(5) Conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a crime of violence as defined under § 22-1-2. For purposes of this subdivision, a certified copy of the record of conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere is conclusive evidence.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 13; SL 1972, ch 15, § 4; SL 2019, ch 169, § 2.
36-16-34. Failure to register, obtain license or report wiring as misdemeanor.
Any person who fails to register, obtain a license or report wiring described by § 36-16-15 as required by this chapter is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 18; SL 1977, ch 190, § 184; SL 1986, ch 315, § 13.
36-16-34.1. Action for injunction--Election of remedies.
The State Electrical Commission shall be empowered to commence actions for injunction for violation of this chapter or regulations hereunder as an alternate to criminal proceedings. The commencement of one proceeding by the commission constitutes an election.
Source: New section created to carry out directions to the Code Commission contained in SL 1972, ch 15, § 4.
36-16-35. More stringent local and utility requirements permitted.
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit any municipality, rural electric cooperative, private utility, or political subdivision of the state from making and enforcing more stringent requirements than those set forth in this chapter, and such requirements shall be complied with.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 5 (4); SL 1967, ch 128, § 2.
36-16-36. Civil liability for damages and injuries unaffected--Public liability not created.
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or reduce the responsibility or liability of any party owning, operating, controlling, installing, altering, or repairing any electrical system or equipment for damages or injuries to persons or property nor shall the state nor any of its political subdivisions be held as assuming any liability by reason of any of the provisions of this chapter.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 16.
36-16-37. Severability of provisions.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this chapter is for any reason held to be unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.
Source: SL 1963, ch 216, § 17.
