Kentucky Low Voltage Regulation

A few months ago word hit the street about a proposed Commonwealth of Kentucky low voltage regulation soon to be implemented.  It would require anyone who touched low voltage wiring to have a state license to do so. Brooke Perin, our lighting Specialist made contact to learn what the regulation would require.

Kentucky Low Voltage Regulation

The state released a public text of the new low voltage regulation, which Brooke digested and reported to our team. She also signed up to take the test and attended the public hearing.

What we saw was an onerous and unworkable regulation that few in the landscape trades would be able to participate in. It essentially put the electricians in charge of anything that involved wire. Which meant, only state licensed people could do the wiring work on irrigation and lighting systems.

I made contact with the KNLA. Executive Director, Betsie Taylor, who went to work with the KNLA leadership team and members. A mandatory meeting was held by the state, at which the KNLA well represented our industry.

The meeting brought to light the many areas of non-functionality of the regulation. Bottom line: Kentucky has put the regulation on hold. At least for now our industry can still install and maintain irrigation and lighting wiring.

KNLA Latest Email

Please see update below from KNLA’s Legislative Agent, Sam Crawford.　 We have a victory for now and we will need to make sure we monitor this issue because it can be taken up in the future.　 Please feel free to email this to your distribution list.　 Thanks for making us aware of this issue and working with our organization in this matter!!

BETSIE A. TAYLOR

Executive Director
Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association
P.O. Box 6827

Sam Crawford’s Report

Betsie,

In February the Department of Housing, Building, and Construction proposed a regulation which would require testing for certification of employees who are involved in the installation of Low voltage landscaping projects. This regulation would have resulted in a burden for many industries including our KNLA membership as well as others such as small phone and cable companies.

The Department of HBC held a meeting on March 27th to hear testimony concerning the regulation.

There were about 75 people in attendance including KNLA President, Martin Korfhage and board member, Jeff Moore who presented our concerns to the Department Director and his staff.

After more than 90 minutes of comments from the audience, the attorney for the Department, Michael T. Davis agreed to review and respond to all of the spoken comments and submitted letters concerning the proposed regulation.

On April 9th I contacted the Legislative Research Commission staff and was informed that the Department HBC had withdrawn the proposed regulation; therefore the regulation would not be considered by the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee.

There is no doubt that due to the diligence and effort led by the KNLA membership and Bestie Taylor resulted in altering the process for the regulation.

Thank you for allowing me to assist you concerning this matter.

Sam Crawford

Wrap Up

Be warned, the issue can come up again. As stated, our industry must continue our watch to assure we don’t get blindsided again. And that counts for other states as well.

My thanks and appreciation goes to Betsie and the KNLA leadership for taking up the banner to represent our industry. This is one of the major roles for a state industry association.

If you do work in Kentucky and are not a member of the KNLA, then become one! Your voice counts more when in force. Your membership provides numbers, money, and feet on the street to help fight back threats like the one the KNLA so soundly handled.  Click here to visit the KNLA web site.