Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Plumbing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee Advances Bill to Create Separate Residential Plumbing License Classification
Summary
The Government Organization Committee approved reporting Senate Bill 839 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass; the bill would direct the Division of Labor to adopt rules creating a separate residential plumbing classification intended to lower barriers for entry into the trade in rural areas.
The Government Organization Committee voted to report Senate Bill 839 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, while retaining an initial committee reference to Finance. Committee counsel explained the bill and sponsors said the change aims to expand the plumbing workforce, particularly in small towns.
Committee counsel told members the bill would amend two sections in Chapter 21 and direct the Division of Labor, the licensing authority for plumbers, to promulgate legislative rules establishing separate classifications for plumbers who work exclusively in residential dwellings and those who work in commercial settings. Counsel explained that West Virginia currently has three plumber classifications — plumber in training, journeyman plumber and master plumber — and that there are two examinations (journeyman and master); there is no separate examination for a plumber in training. The bill would allow the Division of Labor to set specific requirements by rule, including any examination structure and training hours.
Sponsor Senator Clements said the bill grew out of recruiting challenges in rural districts and the limited number of trade schools offering plumbing training. “Residential plumbing is not near as complicated as commercial operations,” the sponsor said, and a separate residential classification could let small plumbing businesses train employees on the job and expand services in small towns.
The committee heard from unnamed representatives of the Division of Labor and had brief questions about how the bill would lower barriers to entry. Counsel replied that the reduction of barriers would depend on the examination and rulemaking structure the Division adopts, since creating the classification by statute alone would not itself change exam or hour requirements. The bill carries a second reference to the Finance Committee; the vice chair moved to report SB 839 to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass and that it first be referred to Finance. The chair said she planned to ask the finance chair to waive that second reference because the bill “doesn't have fiscal implications to the state.” The committee adopted the motion by voice vote, and the bill will advance.
The transcript records no detailed fiscal analysis in committee and no amendments were adopted during the discussion.
