[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6105977,"mediaKeyId","2785152-766aaf4168dff79712e4b08536a80d2e","parentId",2785152,"title","Committee hears supporters of voluntary certification for residential plumbers, HVAC and electricians","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",927000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2785152-766aaf4168dff79712e4b08536a80d2e&start=927&end=927","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2785152-766aaf4168dff79712e4b08536a80d2e/thumbnail_927000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6105977/Ohio/Committee-hears-supporters-of-voluntary-certification-for-residential-plumbers-HVAC-and-electricians","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105977-5100d2ddc7547fb46e320346cea67e00/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145812&Signature=akaq70FQFRREijQu27e7vjVQsE65d24EycAYHyHaqJ3sEDcX4LIyu0HqNpsz1uLQWuzWOgMWoNjue8joZ4rYuUKB3pT~i9T7hsFhsGrZbVG1Qg1lcrUlqzf3w0Y~mBtzI466cvHBQ93Mqi7txm~T2g1R92jN~gfYs~Lc2ySSvlwugoxdj07y4k858Ng1VPOTAG8IsEkMqdom9Yfc9AAQNcW4bGCjLNkzGdDlz9bXKPY4dJFBZph1t6zdYN-sgOY8QPMPlQveQgbWqdhzpWrxudwcQ~BdIDIUi-4ke3y35GPpzE41jC6cD98zG~m2kjHIMiMLpKeyHtucyzNAaTZUBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ohio Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Supporters of Senate Bill 54 told the Senate Workforce Development Committee the bill would create a voluntary certification program for residential‑only contractors in plumbing, HVAC and electrical trades to give homeowners a nonbinding credential verifying training, insurance and continuing education.

Rocco Fanna Jr., executive director of the Air Conditioning Contractors of Ohio (ACCO) and the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors of Ohio (PHCC Ohio), told the committee the bill \"is a voluntary but structured credentialing process that establishes baseline competency and skill verification for residential only contractors.\" He contrasted certification with licensure, saying licensing is a regulatory requirement while certification \"provides a level of consumer protection and professionalism without the burdens of full licensure.\"

Fanna said the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board reported that \"8 out of 10 calls they receive are for residential\" matters and argued certification would reduce common problems such as unsafe installations, failure to pull permits, and poor workmanship. He said certification would include continuing education requirements so credentialed contractors stay current with codes and technology.

Several residential contractors testified in support. Larry Betlajewski Jr., owner of Beatles Plumbing Solutions and past president of PHCC Ohio, said his 30 years of experience showed dangerous mistakes by unqualified workers that could lead to carbon monoxide exposure and water contamination, problems he said certification could prevent. Steve Jerome Jr., a fourth‑generation plumber and owner of Jerome Plumbing, said certification would \"protect consumers and ensure contractors operate on a level playing field,\" and underscored the continuing education element.

Linda Hudek of LH Plumbing Services described specific safety risks tied to improper installations, including disabled temperature‑pressure relief valves on water heaters and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from incorrectly installed fuel‑burning appliances. \"We are the first defence,\" she said, describing plumbers' role protecting public health.

Committee members asked clarifying questions. Ranking Member Ingram asked whether certification applied to the contractor or individual employees; Fanna and other witnesses said certification is tied to the contractor and that employees work under that credential. Ingram also asked how consumers would be informed; witnesses said promotion through consumer protection channels and industry outreach would be needed. A written-only testimony from Scott Haring of ACCO was submitted for the record. The item was recorded as a second hearing with multiple proponents and no vote taken.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ohio Senate Workforce Development Committee - 3-25-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 54 would create a voluntary certification program for residential‑only contractors (plumbing, HVAC, electrical) to provide consumer protections, continuing education, and a credential short of full licensure; multiple industry witnesses testified in support and the item was listed as a second hearing.","taxTitle","Workforce Development, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Ohio","taxId",79570,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6105980,"Sponsor outlines proposed commercial roofing license, citing firefighter safety and fraud concerns",672,348000,1020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2785152-766aaf4168dff79712e4b08536a80d2e&start=348&end=1020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2785152-766aaf4168dff79712e4b08536a80d2e/thumbnail_348000.jpg","/articles/6105980/Ohio/Sponsor-outlines-proposed-commercial-roofing-license-citing-firefighter-safety-and-fraud-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105980-03d21c056f1bd546bb97c7c48accf587/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145812&Signature=TEREYJ8FleRVeZD8fq0g6cBOABJMZ~J6SfCK3IGUNo-XxLe5ieMKSwZQLLCswGG0UeDc5r7bCff7-k4l1uWlLax9NJ1QKPMEBJg8Zj51rrjTTWVbTnSq1CSVwPB8mkuk6DQzN0rYxjcFPTV3p68EL6nAFArKaXTnCSSZL8w25Iflyfo7F1pUX9oOPKWYVomVIswLwz9TgEdQbgocgrEctz7lt~0aMu1Akua71n5vgPAHyIYQ7P6ANU7C5TaWeVclU8RIk1~bT-YD62B2Gdci5vNj9vlKj9aL93svWKVLkLwpNTn0dKD6qYBQB28eujjdAj52i8Ie~WEAG5P82EfFnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 125, which would add a commercial roofing specialty license to Ohio's existing construction licensing structure, was presented to the Senate Workforce Development Committee by sponsor Senator Patton in a first hearing.

Senator Patton told the committee the bill \"is a simple way to license commercial roofing contractors in the same way that other specialty contractors are currently licensed while providing much needed protection for public and private owners.\" He said the licensure would not apply to residential roofing and would exempt commercial roofing projects valued at less than $20,000.

Patton described safety and fraud rationales for the bill: \"It will help end 1099 abuse. This is also a safety concern. We have seen a number of commercial roofs collapse prematurely during fires, endangering and even killing firefighters.\" He said the measure was brought by firefighters and reviewed by industry groups.

Key provisions described by the sponsor include a requirement that applicants be at least 18 and be a U.S. citizen or legal alien, state and federal background checks, proof of $500,000 in liability insurance for contractors, continuing education, and $60 annual licensing fees. The bill would mirror existing specialty licensing administered by the Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board (OCILB) within the Ohio Department of Commerce; the OCILB would adopt rule specifics, including penalties.

Patton said the bill contains a three‑year grandfathering provision so established commercial roofing contractors can qualify without meeting new education requirements immediately: \"You have to show that you've been in business 3 years... they'll all pay $60 a year and they will all get continuing education,\" he told the committee. Ranking Member Ingram asked whether the grandfathering applied to individuals or companies; Patton clarified it applies to contractors (the business), not to unrelated individuals.

The sponsor listed supporters expected to testify, including the Ohio Fire Chiefs Association, the Ohio Roofing Contractors Association (union and nonunion members), the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the National Electrical Contractors Association, and the Mid States District Council of Roofers and Waterproofers. Patton said both union and nonunion contractors support the bill.

Committee members did not take further action; the item was recorded as a first hearing with sponsor testimony and no vote.","Senate Bill 125 would add a commercial roofing specialty license, exempt contracts under $20,000, require background checks and $500,000 liability coverage, include a three‑year grandfathering provision and $60 annual fee; sponsor said the measure aims to protect workers and firefighters and curb 1099 abuse. The bill had its first hearing.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":42,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6105987,"Senate committee hears resolution urging Congress to restore SNAP theft replacements, boost anti‑fraud measures",1754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2785152-766aaf4168dff79712e4b08536a80d2e&start=1754&end=1754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2785152-766aaf4168dff79712e4b08536a80d2e/thumbnail_1754000.jpg","/articles/6105987/Ohio/Senate-committee-hears-resolution-urging-Congress-to-restore-SNAP-theft-replacements-boost-antifraud-measures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6105987-ab6e3bf8079f2f1ef26c504ceeea4ef4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145812&Signature=N58UU3hyWhHHeusZFekeanpFESSb3A5RyIKqWBsJ2H7R5sB3LeRvd-qq1Aq0XhYWBoADBhJ4BybEOnaov2oHMynRDQuKHvV~c8pcKXwhuXyqT2urILR2ULIfRf0-Dq0dFS02gdk1MocgaLgwRV9OpFzVLYpwaTJRWpYPPag506QUtDZytJlTPqErmjwI37NabqaOHZw463L~148wixNayTljgWdFMssPOPPGvf9dJHY4DBbdihmDXjizH~RTf-SlDm5eTblB1Y11CuuyJtttHOvKAN6gFODX9GcZCAp9M86xnhYokMvU6jI37BS-56RT2uv-kSyhvTCCST3PvdVfcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Kaler and members of the Senate Workforce Development Committee heard sponsor testimony on Senate Resolution 29 on the prevalence of theft from SNAP EBT cards and a call for federal action to restore replacement funding and strengthen anti‑fraud protections.

Senator Schaffer, sponsor of the resolution, told the committee that \"this resolution asks the US Congress to resume restoring stolen supplemental nutrition assistance program or SNAP benefits to victims and to implement anti fraud measures in the SNAP program.\" He said card‑skimming and related scams have increased and cited state and national replacement figures.

The senator told the committee that, \"According to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, from October 22 through December 24, over $15,000,000 in benefits have been stolen from over 30,000 individuals on SNAP.\" He also cited a national figure from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities that states replaced more than 315,000 households — over $150,000,000 — in stolen benefits between January 2023 and September 2024.

Schaffer said the federal SNAP fraud replacement program allowed states to reimburse victims but that \"support for this program ended just last December after Congress declined to fund the program\" and that the lapse \"leaves families in the crisis vulnerable to having their benefits stolen and not replaced.\" He asked Congress to restore funding and to support anti‑fraud measures such as issuing SNAP EBT cards with security chips.

Schaffer praised state efforts to reduce fraud, saying, \"I applaud ODJFS Director Matt Damschroeder and his staff for being proactive in implementing SNAP fraud prevention efforts here in Ohio, including increased public awareness, frequently sharing fraud information, tips with SNAP EBT benefit recipients, as well as implementing new tools and programs.\" He added that he looked forward to continuing to work with Director Damschroeder on additional state steps.

Ranking Member Ingram asked for Ohio‑specific figures; Schaffer repeated the Ohio figures he cited and said he did not have an up‑to‑date total for the period after federal replacement funding ended. No committee members offered further substantive questions. The item was recorded as a first hearing with no formal action taken.

This resolution now awaits further committee consideration.","The Senate Workforce Development Committee heard sponsor testimony on Senate Resolution 29 asking Congress to restore funding that replaced stolen SNAP benefits and to support anti‑fraud measures, including security chip EBT cards; the item was taken as a first hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears supporters of voluntary certification for residential plumbers, HVAC and electricians

Sponsor outlines proposed commercial roofing license, citing firefighter safety and fraud concerns

Senate committee hears resolution urging Congress to restore SNAP theft replacements, boost anti‑fraud measures