By Konstantin Huck
On September 5, 2025, the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) held a joint meeting with the Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB). The Board has held annual joint meetings with NSCB for the past 16 years. Both Boards discuss common goals, issues, and strategies to expand license opportunities, uphold the integrity of the construction industry, and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. CSLB joined the NSCB meeting in Nevada via video conference. Minutes from CSLB’s previous meeting and materials for the September 5th meeting are available here.
Following an update on the “Brightline West” Project, a high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California, both Boards held a joint discussion regarding their operational and structural comparison. CSLB’s Registrar of Contractors, David Fogt, provided an update about the developments of CSLB and its licensees compared to the last joint meeting in June 2024. He also highlighted the recent conclusion of a new reciprocity agreement with North Carolina, giving applicants the opportunity to waive the trade portion of the CSLB licensing exam. David Behar, Executive Officer of NSCB, provided the update on NSCB’s side. Later, the Boards also discussed surety bonds and selected legislation.
After the joint meeting adjourned, CSLB proceeded with its own meeting. In the Registrar’s Report, David Fogt focused on possible action CSLB could take against contractors who fail to comply with California’s workers’ compensation laws and identified which other state agencies are responsible for taking action. He also reviewed CSLB’s actions and the status of reconstruction following the 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County.
Stacy Paul, CSLB’s Budget Manager, provided a budget update containing the final fiscal year 2024-25 and the preliminary budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. During the following discussion, CSLB’s Chair, Miguel Galarza, highlighted the fiscal year-end reserve of about $52 million, which corresponds to a reserve of approximately 6.8 months. He thanked the Budget Manager for the continuous growth of the reserve over the past years.
Joel Barton, Chair of the Legislative Committee, reviewed the status of ongoing legislation. While Board-sponsored bills AB 521 (Carrillo) (Chapter 265, Statutes of 2025), SB 291 (Grayson) (Chapter 455, Statutes of 2025), and SB 779 (Archuleta) (Chapter 233, Statutes of 2025) were signed by Governor Newsom this year, Board-sponsored AB 559 (Berman), which would have broadened the definition of “home improvement” to include accessory dwelling units (ADUs), was made into a two-year-bill and may be heard again in the second year of this legislative session.
Michael Mark, Chair of the Enforcement Committee, reviewed the Enforcement Program’s statistics and trends. Between January 1 and June 30, 2025, CSLB received 9,272 complaints and self-initiated 417 investigations. As of June 20, 2025, the pending caseload was 4,970 complaints. Steve Grove, Chief of Enforcement, gave an update on the Multiple Offender Unit, which was permanently established in June 2025. The Unit focuses on contractors accused of multiple complaints and aims to facilitate expedited enforcement proceedings, thereby protecting the public through early complaint disclosure.