Bill

HB 2465

84(R) - 2015
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Wayne Smith

Bill Caption

Relating to the licensing and regulation of plumbers.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal impact is expected. 

Bill Analysis

HB 2465 seeks to make a variety of substantive changes to the Occupations code regarding the licensing and regulation of plumbers. They are as follows:

"Control valve" is defined in code as a valve that operates each time water is supplied to, or shut off from, a receptacle or plumbing fixture. The term does not include a stop valve that may be installed in the water supply branch to the control valve.

There a numerous additions to the code regarding the supervision of "responsible" master plumbers. 

"Repair and Replacement of plumbing" are added to the plumber's apprentice scope of duties. 

A plumbing company is defined as: a business that is registered with the board, employs a responsible master plumber, or is owned by a responsible master plumber. 

Changes the "Residential utilities installer" scope of duties to include repairs or replaces yard water service piping or building sewers for one-family or two-family dwellings. 

Changes the scope of "water treatment" to include; making connections necessary to install a water treatment system to the potable water system or indirectly to the sanitary drainage system.

A new exception would be created for a person not required to be licensed under this chapter to perform plumbing if the person is employed by a political subdivision to engage in plumbing only within the geographic boundaries of the political subdivision. 

Changes some requirements for representation on the board.

Standards for plumbing examiners are set so that they must: hold a license as a plumber issued under this chapter, be knowledgeable of this chapter and municipal ordinances relating to plumbing; and be qualified by experience and training in plumbing practice. 

Changes some of the duties of the executive director.

Updates the date that the code is adopted from May 2001 to January 2015 and to include: the NFPA 13D Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes, as published by the National Fire Protection Association; and the NFPA 99 Health Care Facilities Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association. Provisions in future versions shall be adopted if they are in the public interest and consistent with the purpose of this chapter. 

A plumber's apprentice application request would have to have 1,000 hours of experience instead of 500 hours.

Before a person may install medical gas piping, they must complete training in a board-approved training program in the area of medical gas piping installation. 

Fire sprinkler systems must meet the new standards and be inspected by a certified fire inspector. 

A person who holds a license or endorsement under this chapter must complete at least six hours of approved classroom continuing professional education each year the person holds the license or endorsement to renew the person’s license or endorsement. The course must include training in this chapter and board rules, board-approved plumbing codes, and health protection, energy conservation, and water conservation. The same applies to registration renewal. 

Plumbers apprentices would have to have mandatory training torenew the certificate of registration for the third renewal and any subsequent renewals, a person who holds a certificate of registration under this chapter as a plumber ’s apprentice must complete during the year preceding the renewal date at least six hours of approved classroom training that includes training in  this chapter and board rules, board-approved plumbing codes, and health protection, energy conservation, and water conservation. A person may receive credit for participating in a training program only if the training program is provided by by a person approved by the board and according to criteria adopted by the board.A plumber’s apprentice who is enrolled and in good standing in a training program approved by the United States Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship, is exempt from either of the above requirements. The board by rule may exempt certain persons from the requirements of this section if the board determines that the exemption is in the public interest. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

The provisions of HB 2465 do include stricter occupational measures but at the same time broadens the scope of duties for a variety of plumbing sub-occupations. We are neutral.