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

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…