[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6514901,"mediaKeyId","5022701-c62bf51c6ebf55be6223e61aa1a1ff90","parentId",5022701,"title","Board moves to publish rule amendment if House Bill 32 14 becomes law; other licensing bills remain pending","audioSeconds",555,"startMs",1605000,"endMs",2160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022701-c62bf51c6ebf55be6223e61aa1a1ff90&start=1605&end=2160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022701-c62bf51c6ebf55be6223e61aa1a1ff90/thumbnail_1605000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6514901/Texas/Board-moves-to-publish-rule-amendment-if-House-Bill-32-14-becomes-law-other-licensing-bills-remain-pending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514901-4c4c9233ed0a033c612c852a0de03032/orig.mp4?Expires=1775343752&Signature=Guopp0a0NHd6k6Jt~EEOTYj5XoWlVdiJBXz4eoOj5JzSCTO4TmzuUTKR-GvX6WrUSaRnMTR~UkLwUPTEWCxaQzzRTb6ocldKtw4lZDej73jZDnK9yrdh6dl4i45L~2ZrftKsuIv6F2gD8HxmbxPycFNhr-oxgk30DDh2P45I33SDnG7w8tf93eXooXJ9T0uT75I1VcPLeTQbyEckMFkAQfXKX8FWj5uNlZTi~Cj2dXf~Wed51QdOSu2nZbDputKiDKo2EIlIHA-jqOio9jv~CDUUulNJu474MlqQYkq0FWCYbqSV2Aa5wV7V~S4TxwT3w5IHTBzXZ9NqFlKpwL4Zjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners","date","2025-06-19T07:00:51Z","article","The board received a legislative update and voted to publish a proposed amendment to its administrative rule to reduce the experience requirement to test for a master plumber license if the legislature’s bill becomes law.

Lynn Latoham, general counsel, told the board that Senate Bill 1080 has become law and establishes a pathway for incarcerated individuals and parolees to obtain provisional occupational licenses. She said House Bill 32 14 (a bill that would reduce required journeyman service from four years to two years for eligibility to sit for the master exam) and House Bill 56 29 (expedited licensing for service members, veterans and spouses) had not yet been signed by the governor and were pending the governor’s action through June 22.

On agenda item 7, the board considered whether to amend 22 Texas Administrative Code 36.363.4 to comply with the possible statutory change in House Bill 32 14. Board member Justin moved to publish the proposed amendment in the Texas Register for 30 days of public comment if House Bill 32 14 becomes law; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. The motion included a caveat that staff would not publish the rule until the governor has signed or allowed the bill to become law.

What the amendment would do: The proposed amendment would reduce the experience requirement to apply to sit for the master's exam from four years as a journeyman to two years, aligning board rules with the statute as drafted. General counsel and staff emphasized the board cannot implement a rule until a bill becomes law; the board voted to post the rule for comment conditioned on the governor’s approval to avoid delayed implementation if the statute takes effect Sept. 1.

Why it matters: If the governor signs House Bill 32 14, journeymen who have held their license for two years rather than four would become eligible to test for a master license beginning Sept. 1 under the board’s planned timeline. Board members noted the written and practical master exams serve as a “safety net,” pointing to a master exam pass rate of roughly 51 percent as evidence that the exam—not time-in-trade alone—determines qualification.

Other legislative bills noted by staff
- Senate Bill 1080: Staff reported SB 1080 has become law; it creates a provisional occupational licensing pathway for incarcerated individuals and parolees.
- House Bill 56 29: Staff reported HB 56 29 would create expedited licensing pathways for service members, veterans and military spouses but had not been signed as of the meeting.

Speakers and votes
General counsel Lynn Latoham presented the update. Justin (board member) moved to publish the rule amendment contingent on governor action; the motion passed by voice vote.

Next steps
Staff will prepare the amendment text and submit it to the Texas Register for 30 days of public comment only if and when the governor signs or allows House Bill 32 14 to become law. If the governor vetoes the bill, staff said the proposed rule posting will not proceed.

Ending: The board retained jurisdiction to finalize the rule only after statutory change occurs and staff completes the 30-day public comment posting process.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","TSBPE Board Meeting - June 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board voted to publish a proposed rule amendment to reduce the experience requirement to sit for the master license if the legislature’s bill becomes law.","taxTitle","Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, Boards & Commissions, Executive, Texas","taxId",36444,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6514906,"Plumbing board wins $2.1 million in supplemental funding, details move and testing expansion",4490,0,4490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022701-c62bf51c6ebf55be6223e61aa1a1ff90&start=0&end=4490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022701-c62bf51c6ebf55be6223e61aa1a1ff90/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6514906/Texas/Plumbing-board-wins-21-million-in-supplemental-funding-details-move-and-testing-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514906-f147b7fecd0cc297b392c6aa93d209c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775343752&Signature=KxSUaEXr95y9sYk359kjDM7nPTWduelbZdmmTMRlfd-aMhrFh0-8VAKFk4DdrdF0VAWaPqyr7liolxu8iJVlCcJLmCpKpm9ZZ~2r4W~GFcrL~aVFT1FID1YwOTeJmsQB~RTu2gx3b7FlGbx34EbCfQIGNe4nfn3wGXaDcheieZ55vXnqNWv0AzFcxUHmH7LjY7xeE1zrySmkJHQ~fJtGqwB7mGtKOm~C6JdiAPmfIAmFv6XTRoXp0jeTguNFODibaIx2xPm2zDXhWNLngNEv9WmYhdkwC5wdHE9eFKpIalP9LS~Z92CfpM3G-~5r1-38aF9woVIYXcBfn7JI~SLdfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners said it received full funding of its base appropriation and $2,100,000 in additional appropriations, and staff outlined plans to move offices off its current leased space and expand licensure testing capacity across the state.

Board chair Frank Denton (speaking as the board’s legislative liaison) told the board they received \"100% of our base budget\" (about $4,000,000 a year) and described a supplemental package that includes funds for staff, testing centers and one-time move costs. He said the appropriation includes funding for seven new employees, two vehicles, $167,000 for IT improvements and $300,000 for expansion of a Harlingen testing center plus resources for a mobile testing unit. Denton said a $675,000 request for facility modifications and moving expenses was placed in a supplemental appropriation so the agency can access the money before the new biennium begins on Sept. 1.

The supplemental funds, Denton said, \"ended up with $2,100,000 additional funds,\" and that the agency will be authorized to hire seven employees effective Sept. 1, when the new budget goes into effect. He added that money not immediately spent on positions will be placed in a pool for future employee hires.

Why it matters: The board licenses plumbers, journeymen and masters across Texas. Denton said the move and the testing expansions are intended to reduce exam backlogs and lower the turnaround time for licensing. He said increased testing capacity should help the board handle demand for the next 10–15 years if the agency executes its plans.

Details and timeline
- Lease and move: The board’s lease on its current facility expires Aug. 31. Denton and Executive Director Lisa (last name not provided in the transcript) said they are coordinating with the Texas Facilities Commission and other agencies to prepare a vacated state-owned building for occupancy. Denton described early frustrations with scheduling and surplus equipment removal but said crews began vacating the facility after intervention by the governor’s office and facility leadership.

- Supplemental vs. biennium funds: Denton said the $675,000 that covers restroom and infrastructure work at the new building was placed in a supplemental budget so it can be spent before Sept. 1 rather than waiting for the biennial budget; he noted the money was appropriated on the final day of the legislative session.

- Moving plan and costs: Denton said private moving bids ran as high as $160,000. Instead, the agency arranged to use a Texas Department of Criminal Justice crew for approximately $1,000 a day for a truck, one supervisor and four workers; he estimated total moving costs would be under $100,000.

- Testing capacity: Denton said the Austin testing center’s planned renovation would add four testing sessions (from 12 to 16 test seats at a time). The board will continue to run sessions in Waco, and the Harlingen center will be built as a carbon copy of Waco. Denton said the mobile testing unit will provide additional, targeted sessions (he estimated roughly 4–5 sessions per mobile deployment, noting that exact needs were \"not many\").

- Staffing and operations: Executive Director Lisa reported current hiring needs including examiners and legal/administrative staff. The board emphasized hiring remains the agency’s biggest operational challenge. Denton and Lisa said some newly funded examiner positions will be reserved to staff Harlingen and mobile testing operations and may be hired later in the fiscal year.

- Rent savings and licensing fees: Denton noted moving to a state-owned building will eliminate roughly $30,000 per month in rent (about $360,000 per year), which the board said should help keep licensing fees down. He said about 80% of the agency’s revenue comes from licensing fees.

Operational risks and next steps
Staff cautioned the move will cause temporary disruption: Denton warned the Austin testing center would shut down for part of July or August and that Waco and other centers would need to absorb testing demand during the transition. The Facilities Commission and a fire marshal inspection remain dependencies for on-time occupancy. Denton and Lisa said they are staging the boardroom and administrative spaces first to continue licensing operations, and they will run contingency phone and remote operations if direct lines are affected.

Speakers quoted in this article spoke during the appropriations and facilities discussion portion of the meeting and include board leaders and agency staff. The board plans to begin hiring funded positions Sept. 1 and to continue communicating scheduling changes to candidates and licensees.

Ending note: Staff asked license applicants and employers to use midweek testing slots where available during the transition and to ensure apprentices and applicants complete fingerprinting and applications early to avoid processing delays.

","The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners reported a supplemental appropriation and outlined steps to relocate offices, expand testing capacity in Harlingen, Waco and Arlington, hire seven staff and operate a mobile testing unit; staff warned of operational disruption during the move.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6514896,"Board discusses mandatory penalties and journeyman fee changes; approves enforcement orders and executive director pay increase",9140,3100000,12240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5022701-c62bf51c6ebf55be6223e61aa1a1ff90&start=3100&end=12240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5022701-c62bf51c6ebf55be6223e61aa1a1ff90/thumbnail_3100000.jpg","/articles/6514896/Texas/Board-discusses-mandatory-penalties-and-journeyman-fee-changes-approves-enforcement-orders-and-executive-director-pay-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514896-c74b857128954bf78ddc429bd66c7c1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775343752&Signature=c1eGKr4QTxXvxAqjR7PQIEGFL1CSuSFb2wExi0Qy2MYTKsNaDf6icNg2QaWhamv9AYvHZgpzl~Ke055qujhNGfbEaYdkA2NeMMcnxEycKF9f8-yqff6d63mNQPDVx8Bhxk2mZE6ROFHZu8ge0bOvxwdTY3byV8wjo3DToZEtKhJO4EMynX7A2JSUiJSUoGc9zyZKyq0PvpH83lQajP9-hTOX7naZCc33i96M5AyQpaTZpGVZKLunaReDtJT38ESZ4Pn2n9XM9qVD7ApIm0K40tP9IdXRUjfG6Cny66C-qBjcmqcUe3gg8YKbMv6G4t4MczWUoGmgmYmmWoqT~t9xZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board spent significant time on enforcement policy and license-fee structure and took several formal administrative actions that the public should note.

Discussion items
- Mandatory penalties for employing unlicensed workers: Board members discussed a proposal to create a mandatory, non-negotiable penalty for employers who knowingly employ unlicensed or unregistered persons. The current matrix lists a $4,000 fee (with a statutory maximum of $5,000 per person per day). Several board members recommended raising the mandatory penalty to the statutory maximum for greater deterrence and discussed escalation for repeat offenders. Staff noted enforcement already reduces fees in settlement for cooperation; the board debated removing or limiting settlement discounts for this violation. No formal rule or penalty change was adopted at the meeting; staff and board agreed to gather industry feedback and return with a formal proposal, likely in the next calendar cycle.

- Journeyman license fee for masters who retain a journeyman card: Board members discussed whether masters who retain a journeyman license should pay a separate fee (historically $40). Some members favored reinstating a small add-on fee or adding a specific \"journeyman-with-master\" fee rather than raising the master fee across the board. Staff noted the agency earlier reduced multiple fees (including endorsements) and that the supplemental appropriation is one-time general revenue that cannot be used to offset recurring fee decisions. The item was discussed only; no fee changes were adopted; board members asked staff to solicit industry feedback.

Votes and formal administrative actions (at-a-glance)
- Executive director compensation: The board took final action in executive session and approved an increase in the executive director’s compensation to $134,827 effective Sept. 1, 2025. The board vacated an earlier motion and approved the corrected amount; the action was approved by voice vote in session.

- Administrative penalties and agreed orders: The board approved a batch of administrative penalty orders and settlements presented in the meeting materials and authorized the chairman to sign on behalf of the board.

- Default final orders: The board approved 15 default final orders for respondents who did not appear after proper notice; consequences include license holds or final penalties as listed in meeting materials.

Why it matters: The enforcement-policy discussion addresses how the board will deter unlicensed plumbing work—a primary enforcement challenge for the agency. The executive director salary increase and approvals of settlements/defaults are formal agency actions that change staff compensation and finalize enforcement outcomes.

Next steps: Staff will gather industry feedback on penalties and journeyman fee structure, draft possible rule or matrix changes, and return items for formal rulemaking or board decision in a future meeting. Enforcement staff will continue to process collections and work with the Attorney General’s collections unit on larger past-due accounts.

","Board members debated a proposed mandatory, non-negotiable penalty for employing unlicensed workers and discussed restoring a journeyman fee; the board approved multiple administrative enforcement orders, default final orders and an executive director pay increase in closed session.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board moves to publish rule amendment if House Bill 32 14 becomes law; other licensing bills remain pending

Plumbing board wins $2.1 million in supplemental funding, details move and testing expansion

Board discusses mandatory penalties and journeyman fee changes; approves enforcement orders and executive director pay increase