[HISTORY: Adopted by the Rockland County
Legislature 3-16-1999 by L.L. No. 2-1999; amended in its entirety 2-1-2005 by L.L. No.
4-2005. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
The Legislature of the County of Rockland hereby
finds that the public health, safety and welfare of the residents
of the County of Rockland can be properly protected only if the installation
of plumbing, plumbing systems, gas piping, heating and air conditioning
equipment and systems, air conditioning, refrigeration, and sheet
metal in dwellings and other structures is undertaken by persons with
necessary skill, experience and training in the plumbing, heating,
air conditioning, refrigeration, and sheet metal field.
For the purpose of this chapter, unless otherwise
indicated by the context, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated, and all references to the masculine gender shall be interpreted
to mean to include the feminine gender:
The process of cooling, cleaning, humidifying, ventilating
and circulating air throughout buildings or structures, private and
public.
The Board of Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Air Conditioning,
Refrigeration, and Sheet Metal Examiners created by this chapter.
Any writing or record, whether in the form of an entry in
a book or otherwise, made as a memorandum or record of any act, transaction,
occurrence or event made in the regular course of any business.
Includes any person who engages in or carries on the business
of installing, erecting, altering, extending, repairing or maintaining
systems and equipment for the purpose of air-conditioning, refrigerating,
cleaning, humidifying, dehumidifying, ventilating or circulating air
through buildings or structures, private or public.
The Director of the Rockland County Department of Weights
and Measures/Office of Consumer Protection.
A person employed by the County and designated by the Board
to exercise or to discharge, as directed by the Board, the authority
or the duties established by this chapter or by the Board pursuant
to this chapter.
All piping within any buildings, structures or swimming pools,
private and public, that distributes gas used for illumination or
fuel in any building, structure or swimming pool. This includes gas
supplied by a public utility from the house side of the gas meter
and piping, or beyond the gas regulator supplied by a fuel or gas
vendor.
The installing, erecting, altering, extending, repairing
or maintaining of any device, system or equipment for heating buildings
or structures, private or public. This definition shall include all
piping carrying gas, liquid propane, oil or water to such heating
equipment, except that portion of piping covered in the plumbing and
gas-distribution system.
Includes any person who engages in or carries on the business
of heating.
All piping from the house side of the regulator that distributes
gas to all fixtures and apparatus used for illumination or fuel in
any building, structure or swimming pool.
Includes any person who engages in or carries on the business
of installing, erecting, altering, extending or repairing or maintaining
piping, fixtures, appliances, equipment and appurtenances in connection
with any of the following: gas-distribution systems, liquid propane
distribution piping, sanitary-drainage or storm-drainage facilities,
the venting system and the public or private water-supply systems
within or adjacent (i.e., to five feet outside buildings or structures,
public or private, for sanitary-drainage or storm-drainage facilities;
or, from the curb valve to buildings or structures, public or private,
for public water supply systems) to any building or structure.
Includes an individual, firm, company, partnership, limited-liability
company, corporation or other legal entity.
The practice, materials and fixtures used in the installation,
maintenance, extension and alteration of all piping fixtures, appliances
(including water heaters, water treatment equipment, water filters,
water softeners, water conditioners, dishwashers, laundry washers,
laundry dryers, water-service pipelines, water-using equipment, fire
sprinklers, fire standpipes, fire hydrants, control valves or devices,
check valves, any similar appliances, and any combinations of or connections
made to them or similar appliances), equipment and the appurtenances
in connection with any of the following: gas-distribution system,
swimming pool heaters, backflow prevention devices, sanitary-drainage
or storm-drainage facilities, the venting system and the public or
private water-supply systems within or adjacent (i.e., to five feet
outside buildings or structures, public or private, for sanitary-drainage
or storm-drainage facilities; or, from the curb valve to buildings
or structures, public or private, for public water supply systems)
to any building or structure.
The water supply and distribution pipes; plumbing fixtures
and traps, soil, waste and vent pipes; building house drains and building
house sewers, including their respective connections, devices and
appurtenances within the property lines of the premises; and water-treating
or water-using equipment.
The process by which any product or substance is cooled to
or below, or maintained at or below, 55 F.
Includes any person who engages in or carries on the business
of installing, erecting, altering, extending, repairing, or maintaining
any device, system, or equipment for refrigeration in buildings or
structures, private or public.
Ducts, devices, systems, or equipment made of sheet metal
or similar material and intended or used for the distribution of air
or any other substance to heat, cool, air condition, clean, humidify,
dehumidify, ventilate, or circulate air through a space.
Includes any person who engages in or carries on the business
of installing, erecting, altering, extending, repairing, or maintaining
sheet metal in buildings or structures, private or public
The voluntary placement in inactive status by an individual
of a license or any combination of licenses issued pursuant to this
chapter. No individual whose license is shelved shall maintain, conduct,
operate, advertise, engage in or transact a business or activity for
which a license is required by this chapter.
Any structure, basin, chamber or tank containing water for
swimming, diving or bathing and all receptacles used for decorative
purposes, if directly connected to a potable water supply system or
sanitary drain.
A.
No person, except an individual, may apply for or
be examined in connection with any application for any license required
by this chapter.
B.
No license required by this chapter shall be issued
to any person, except to an individual.
C.
No license required by this chapter shall be assignable
or transferable, nor shall such license be utilized, except as provided
in this chapter.
D.
No person shall maintain, conduct, operate, advertise,
engage in or transact business or activity as a master plumber or
heating contractor or air-conditioning-refrigeration contractor or
refrigeration contractor or sheet metal contractor or any combination
thereof after the effective date of this chapter or any amendment
thereto or solicit such business or contracts involving such business
or hold himself or herself or itself out as being able to maintain,
conduct, operate, advertise, or engage in or transact such business
or activity after such date unless he or she or it is licensed therefor
pursuant to this chapter.
E.
Nothing in this chapter shall prohibit a person licensed
in accordance with the provisions of this chapter from employing individuals,
not so licensed, to assist, as bona fide employees of and under the
direct supervision and control of the person so licensed, in any business
or activity for which a license is required by this chapter.
F.
A license issued to an individual may, upon written application made jointly by that individual and by a proposed partnership, limited-liability company, or corporation in the manner prescribed by or pursuant to Subsection G or Subsection H below, be utilized by the licensed individual and by such partnership, limited-liability company or corporation to engage in any business or activity for which the license was issued to the individual; provided that such business or activity be maintained, conducted, operated, advertised, engaged in or transacted under the personal and immediate direction and control of at least one member of the partnership, or one member or manager of the limited-liability company, or a manager or managing officer of a corporation, who shall be required to meet the licensing requirements of this chapter on behalf of the partnership or limited-liability company or corporation and who, in the case of a corporation, shall not be required to be an officer of the corporation; and provided, further, that the partnership or limited-liability company or corporation shall be liable with respect to all actions taken by its member, manager or managing officer acting on behalf of such partnership or limited-liability company or corporation. If such member, manager or managing officer, who shall have met the requirements of this chapter, ceases to act in the capacity of member, manager or managing corporate officer for any reason whatsoever, (i) the partnership, limited-liability company or corporation shall, within 14 days after such cessation, itself cease engaging in the business or activity for which the license was issued to the individual, and (ii) both the individual to whom the license was issued and the partnership, limited-liability company or corporation by which the license was utilized shall each in writing, within such 14 days, notify the Board of the cessation of both the relationship and the business or activity.
G.
No individual to whom a license has been issued under
this chapter may, regardless of the number or kinds of licenses issued
to such individual, make, in any six-month period, more than one application
for another entity to utilize any license issued under this chapter.
Each such application shall be accompanied by the payment to the Board
of a utilization application fee in a such amount, not less than $1,000
nor more than $5,000, as the Board may by rule from time to time determine.
Each such application shall be accompanied by proof that insurance,
as described in º 319-18 below, has been secured for both the
individual to whom a license has been issued and the entity applying
to utilize the license, each in the full amount of $500,000.
H.
The Board may promulgate rules and regulations implementing
and enforcing the provisions of this section.
A.
There is hereby created a Board of Plumbing, Heating,
Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Sheet Metal Examiners, consisting
of nine members, hereinafter referred to as the "Board." The members
of such Board shall be residents of Rockland County and/or have their
principal place of business in Rockland County, shall be appointed
by the County Executive, subject to confirmation by the County Legislature,
and shall serve at the pleasure of the County Executive as follows:
(1)
One member shall be a journeyman mechanic having no
less than five years of experience as a journeyman mechanic.
(2)
One member shall be a journeyman plumber-fitter having
no less than five years of experience as a journeyman plumber-fitter.
(3)
Two members shall be master plumbers, heating and
air conditioning contractors, having no less then 10 years of experience
as master plumbers, heating and air conditioning contractors.
(4)
One member shall be a member of the Legislature of
Rockland County.
(5)
One member shall be a master plumber or heating contractor
or air conditioning contractor or any combination thereof having no
less than 10 years of experience as a master plumber or heating contractor
or air conditioning contractor or any combination thereof.
(6)
Three members shall be selected from the public at
large.
B.
The Legislature of the County of Rockland shall designate
a member of the Legislature to act as Chairman of the Board or, on
failure to do so, the Board shall elect a Chairman from its own members.
C.
A majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
D.
Compensation to be paid to the members of the Board,
if any, shall be determined by the County Legislature.
The Board shall have the following powers and
duties in addition to those elsewhere prescribed in this chapter:
A.
To hold meetings at the call of the Chairman and at
such other times as the Board may determine when necessary or desirable
for the efficient discharge of the business of the Board. All meetings
of such Board shall be open to the public. Such Board shall keep minutes
of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon every question
or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact, and shall
also keep records of its examination and other official actions. Every
rule, regulation, every amendment or appeal thereof, and every decision
or determination of the Board shall immediately be filed in the office
of the Clerk to the Legislature of the County of Rockland and shall
be public record.
B.
To set all fees relating to examinations and licenses
provided for or required by this chapter.
C.
To examine into the qualifications and fitness of
applicants for or users of licenses under this chapter.
D.
To grant and issue licenses or any combination thereof,
or utilization thereof, required or permitted by this chapter, to
applicants possessing the requisite qualifications.
E.
To suspend or revoke licenses for cause as prescribed
in this chapter or state law. The Board may issue and cause to be
served subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production
of books and papers pertinent to any hearing held by it pursuant to
this chapter.
F.
To keep records of all licenses issued, suspended
or revoked by it and to make such records available for public inspections,
the same to be filed in the office of the Clerk to the Legislature
of Rockland County.
G.
To prepare a manual of its rules and regulations for
the conduct of examinations and to furnish copies thereof to persons
desiring the same upon payment of a fee as prescribed by the Board.
H.
To adopt rules and regulations in respect to procedure
before it and in respect to any subject matter where it has jurisdiction
under this chapter or any other law after a public hearing by the
Board and subject to the approval of the Legislature of Rockland County.
Upon adoption and approval of such rules and regulations they shall
be duly filed with the Clerk to the Legislature of Rockland County.
I.
To make recommendations to the County Legislature
regarding any business, activity, license, or other matter which is
the subject of this chapter or of regulations adopted pursuant to
this chapter.
J.
The Board shall employ examiners, inspectors, experts,
clerks and a secretary, subject to the appropriations that may be
made therefor by the Legislature of Rockland County. Said employees
shall be appointed by the County Executive and shall report to the
Director of Weights and Measures on a day-to-day operational basis.
The Rockland County Legislature is hereby authorized and empowered
to make such appropriation as it may see fit for such expenses, less
fees, if any, collected pursuant to the licensing required by this
chapter.
K.
The Board may from time to time adopt and revise rules
and regulations prescribing and enforcing present and future continuing
education for licensees, applicants for licenses, and users of licenses,
or combinations thereof, required or permitted by this chapter.
The Board may issue any license, renew any license,
and renew any shelved license or any combination of licenses required
or permitted by this chapter. Any person who is validly licensed or
whose license or combination of licenses was shelved and subsequently
renewed may, unless such license shall have been suspended, further
shelved, or revoked, engage, during the period ending the 31st day
of December of the year in which such license was issued, in any business
or activity for which such license is required by this chapter. Application
for renewal of the license is to be made 30 calendar days prior to
the expiration date of the license, and shall be accompanied by the
required fee set forth in the rules and regulations. All applications
for renewal of a license shall be accompanied by the required renewal
fee. The Board may, upon application by the individual to whom any
license or combination of licenses is issued, shelve any license or
any combination of licenses. Application for shelving or the renewal
of a shelved license is to be made 30 calendar days prior to the expiration
date of the license and shall be accompanied by the required fee set
forth in the rules and regulations. Reactivation of a shelved license
shall require 30 days' written notice to the Board. Renewal of license
or renewal of shelved license shall be annually.
All applications for licenses and for utilization
of licenses shall be submitted on forms furnished by and in a manner
prescribed by the Board and shall be accompanied by payment of a fee,
not refundable under any circumstances (including failure to pass
an examination), in an amount established by the Board. Each application
for a license and each application for utilization of a license shall
set forth the name, residence address and business address of each
applicant (including, in the case of a joint application for utilization
of a license, the name, residence address and business address of
the individual signing and authorized to sign such application on
behalf of a partnership, limited-liability company, or corporation)
and such information pertaining to qualifications for the license
or utilization of the of license as the Board may require.
A.
The examination shall consist of a written and, in
the case of master plumber licenses, a practical test. No applicant
shall take the practical test until he has passed the written test.
Examination results shall be kept on file until three years after
the date of the examination. Examinations shall be held at such time
and place and at such fee as the Board may fix.
B.
An applicant who has failed his written or practical
examination shall not be eligible for reexamination until six months
from the date of failure.
C.
No license shall be granted to a person unless he
shall prove to the satisfaction of the Board that he is competent
and qualified to perform the work for which the license is issued.
The Board may, as a condition to the granting of a license, establish
a rule or regulation requiring that the applicant must have a certain
number of years' experience performing said work before the date of
application.
A.
Except as provided in º 319-3 above, no individual
to whom a license has been issued under this chapter shall authorize,
consent to or permit the use of his license by or on behalf of any
other person; and no person shall hold himself out to the public as
the licensee or as the user of a license issued under this chapter,
either directly, by means of signs, sign cards, metal plates, stationary
or in any other manner whatsoever.
B.
Each individual to whom any license has been issued
under this chapter and each person utilizing such a license under
this chapter shall promptly affix and at all times keep affixed to
every vehicle used by such individual and by such user in any activity
for which a license is required under this chapter a symbol indicating
licensure in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Board.
The Board, at its discretion, may issue licenses
without examination to individuals licensed by other political subdivisions
of the State of New York outside Rockland County, provided that, in
the judgment of the Board, the qualifications required for such licenses
by such other political subdivisions are substantially similar to
those required by or permitted pursuant to this chapter, and provided
further that such political subdivision would similarly issue a license
without examination to an individual with such qualifications licensed
in Rockland County.
A.
A license required, issued, shelved, or utilized under
this chapter may be refused, suspended or revoked by the Board for
any one or more of the following causes:
(1)
Fraud, misrepresentation or bribery in securing a
license, or in connection with the making of or performance under
any contract, or the performance of any other activity, for which
a license is required under this chapter.
(2)
The making of any false statement as to material matter
in any application for a license or in response to any demand or request
by the Director or the Board for records or information pertaining
to any examination or license or proceeding under this chapter or
rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this chapter.
(3)
License holder having been convicted of a felony involving
another person or property.
(4)
The business transactions of the individual to whom
a license has been issued, or of the user of such license, under this
chapter have been marked by a practice of failure to perform its contracts
or the fraudulent manipulation of assets of accounts.
(5)
Failure to display or affix any symbol indicating
licensure in the form and in the manner prescribed under this chapter.
(6)
Violation of any provision of this chapter or of any
rule or regulation adopted hereunder or any other law or ordinance
pertaining to any activity for which a license is required under this
chapter.
(7)
Engaging, with only a shelved license, in any activity
for which a license is required under this chapter.
(8)
Aiding, abetting, encouraging, engaging, employing,
contracting with, or subcontracting with any person, other than a
bona fide employee as provided in º 319-3E above or a user of
a license as provided in º 319-3F above, to perform or engage
in any activity for which a license is required under this chapter.
(9)
Performing or engaging in any activity for which a
license is required under this chapter, in the County of Rockland,
with other than employees employed by and on the payroll records of
the individual to whom a license has been issued, or employed by and
on the payroll records of an entity utilizing such license under this
chapter unless the activity is being performed by or engaged in with
individuals to whom licenses have been issued for such activity under
this chapter.
B.
Prior to the revocation or suspension of a license,
the licensee shall receive, in writing, all the particulars of the
alleged violation and shall have an opportunity to present his defense
at a public hearing either in person or by his attorney.
A.
The following acts are prohibited:
(1)
Abandonment or willful failure to perform, without
justification, any plumbing or heating or cooling contract or project
engaged in or undertaken by a contractor, or willful deviation from
or disregard of plans or specifications in any material respect without
the consent of the owner.
(2)
Making any substantial misrepresentation of opinion
or fact, or any false promise, or other statement intended or reasonably
likely to influence, persuade or induce the procurement of any contract
the performance of which involves any activity for which a license
is required under this chapter.
(3)
Any fraud in the execution of or in the material alteration
of any contract, mortgage, promissory note or other document incident
to any activity for which a license is required under this chapter.
(4)
Directly or indirectly publishing any advertisement
relating to any activity for which a license is required under this
chapter which contains an assertion, representation or statement of
fact or opinion which is false, deceptive or misleading, or using
any means of public advertising purporting to offer to contract to
perform or engage in any activity for which a license is required
under this chapter, with the intent not to accept such contracts for
the particular activity or at the particular price offered in such
advertisement.
(5)
Willful or deliberate disregard and violation of the
building, sanitary and health laws of this state or any political
subdivision thereof.
(7)
Willful failure to produce on demand any business
records or other information requested by the Board pursuant to provisions
of this chapter.
(8)
Willful failure to comply with any order, demand or
requirement made by the Board pursuant to provisions of this chapter.
B.
No person shall advertise to perform or engage in
any activity for which a license is required under this chapter, without
clearly and conspicuously setting forth the license number in the
advertisement.
A.
Any person aggrieved by the action of the Board in
refusing to issue a license or to permit the renewal or use thereof
or to permit the shelving of a license or renewal thereof or reactivation
of a shelved license or suspending or revoking a license or making
any decision or determination may take an appeal therefrom to the
Legislature within 30 days after the same has been filed with the
Clerk of the Legislature as required herein. Such appeal shall be
taken by filing with the Board and the Legislature a notice of appeal,
specifying the ground therefor.
B.
The Board shall forthwith transmit to the Legislature
all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed
from was taken.
C.
An appeal shall stay all proceedings in furtherance
of the action appealed from unless the Board issues a certificate
to the Legislature after the notice of appeal shall have been filed,
stating that a stay of all proceedings would, in its opinion, cause
imminent peril to life or property, in which case the stay shall be
vacated unless the Legislature grants a stay of all proceedings in
furtherance of the action appealed from.
D.
The County Executive, subject to confirmation by the
County Legislature, may designate three members of the Legislature
to hear appeals.
E.
A time shall be fixed for the hearing of the appeal,
and notices of the hearing shall be mailed to the appellant and the
Board at least 10 days before the hearing. Upon the hearing, any party
may appear in person or by his attorney. The three members of the
County Legislature designated to hear the appeal may reverse or affirm,
wholly or partly, or may modify the decision or determination or actions
appealed from and may make such decision or determination as in its
opinion ought to be made in the premises, and it shall have the powers
of the Board from which the appeal is taken.
F.
Any person aggrieved by any determination made upon
an appeal may apply to the Supreme Court of the State of New York
for review by a proceeding under Article 78 of the Civil Practice
Law and Rules, provided that the proceeding is commenced within 30
days after the filing of the decision in the office of the Clerk of
the Legislature.
G.
Appeals shall be limited to evidence relevant to the
issues decided by the Board.
H.
All exhibits proposed to be submitted as evidence
at the hearing of the appeal shall be filed with the Clerk to the
Legislature at least three days prior to said hearing.
Nothing contained herein shall be construed
to obviate the necessity of procuring a permit or license to engage
in or transact business or activity for which a license is required
by this chapter, whenever such permit or license is required by statute,
local law, resolution, building code or ordinance of any political
subdivision of the State of New York to engage in or transact such
business or activity in such political subdivision.
All business and activity for which a license
is required by this chapter, engaged in or transacted within the County
of Rockland shall be engaged in or transacted in conformity with the
provisions of this chapter and of any other applicable statute, local
law, resolution, ordinance or building code pertaining thereto.
All fees, fines, and other funds received by
the Board pursuant to this chapter or regulations adopted pursuant
to this chapter shall be delivered to the Commissioner of Finance
by the Board within 10 days after they are received. They shall be
deposited by such Commissioner and shall, along with all disbursements,
be recorded in such manner as to be identified as "Board of Plumbing,
Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Sheet Metal Examiners
funds." All disbursements herein provided for or which may hereafter
be directed to be made for the purpose of carrying out this chapter
shall be made from and charged to such fund.
[Amended 8-7-2007 by L.L. No. 10-2007]
A.
Any willful or negligent failure by any person to comply with the provisions of § 319-3 hereof shall constitute a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The continuation of an offense shall constitute a separate and distinct misdemeanor hereunder for each day the offense is continued.
B.
Any person who, with intent to defraud or deceive,
knowingly makes a false statement in any application pertaining to
any license under this chapter, or in any proof or instrument, or
in connection therewith, shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor
and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding
$1,000 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed one year, or
both.
C.
Any willful or negligent failure by any person to
comply with other sections of this chapter shall constitute a violation
and shall be punishable by a fine not exceeding $250 or imprisonment
for a period not to exceed 15 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
The continuation of an offense shall constitute a separate and distinct
violation hereunder for each day the offense is continued.
D.
The Director, as designated herein, and his designees
shall have the power to issue appearance tickets as the same are defined
in Article 150 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
E.
An administrative notice of violation assessing a
civil penalty not to exceed $3,000 for any willful or negligent failure
by any person to comply with any provision of this chapter may be
issued by the Director, as designated herein, or his designees and
sent by certified, registered, or ordinary mail to the person who
has failed to comply. Each failure to comply with one or more separate
and distinct provisions of this chapter shall constitute a separate
and distinct failure to comply, for each of which the Director or
his designees may issue a separate and distinct administrative notice
of violation assessing a civil penalty not to exceed $3,000. The continuation
of any failure to comply shall constitute a separate and distinct
failure to comply for each day the failure is continued. The Director
may, with the approval of the County Executive, commence a civil action
in any court of competent jurisdiction to collect any civil penalty
assessed pursuant to this subsection that remains unpaid for more
than 30 days after the mailing of the notice of violation.
F.
Nothing herein contained shall prevent the Director, as designated herein, his designees, the examiner, the Board, or other employee of the County designated by the Board, from proceeding to enforce the requirements of this chapter by any one or any combination, successively or simultaneously, of the following: criminal proceedings as provided in Subsections A, B, C, and D of this section; civil penalty as provided in Subsection E of this section; or civil action for injunctive, declaratory, monetary, or other relief.
G.
The Board may suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue,
refuse to renew or reactivate, or refuse to permit the utilization
of or shelving of a license by any person who has failed to pay any
fine or civil penalty imposed pursuant to this chapter.
All persons licensed by this chapter shall be
required to secure insurance to protect their employees and to protect
all persons from personal injury and property damage that could occur,
directly or indirectly, as a result of any activity for which a license
is required by this chapter. Such insurance must include worker's
compensation, disability, liability, proof of completed operations
insurance and property damage coverage in the amount of $500,000.
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve
from nor lessen the responsibility of any master plumbing or heating
or air conditioning or refrigeration or sheet metal contractor, or
any combination thereof, for any loss of life or damage to personal
property, nor shall the County of Rockland be deemed to have assumed
any such liability by reason of any license issued pursuant to this
chapter.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply
to activity for which a license is otherwise required pursuant to
this chapter if such activity is performed pursuant to a contract
with any federal agency or performed by employees of New York State
or of New York municipal corporations with civil service status directly
for the state or municipal corporation.
If any part of this chapter, or the application
thereof to any person or circumstances, shall be judged invalid by
any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall be confined
in its operation to the parts of the provision directly involved in
the controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered and
shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder of this chapter
or the application thereof to any other persons or circumstances.
All rules and regulations in effect at the time
this chapter takes effect are hereby ratified and reapproved, and
shall remain in full force and effect unless and until they are amended
pursuant to this chapter.
