Committee releases bill to standardize plumbing and HVAC licensing statewide; Wilmington officials object

The House Labor Committee released Senate Bill 43 after hearing testimony from industry groups and contractors who support making plumbing and HVAC licensure uniform across Delaware. The bill and Senate Amendment 2 would streamline testing and continuing‑education rules so a state license would be valid across counties and municipalities, with the sponsor and board representatives arguing it would reduce duplicative municipal exams and increase competition.

Phil Sharp Jr., president of the Delaware HVAC and Plumbing Licensing Board of Examiners, told the committee there are three primary paths to licensure in Delaware: completing a four‑year apprenticeship plus two years under a licensed master and then taking the exam; serving the longer old‑fashioned route under a licensed master; or obtaining reciprocity from certain states that have substantially similar licensing processes. Sharp said most surrounding states accept one statewide test and that Wilmington is the only municipality requiring an additional exam for plumbing and HVAC.

Ed Capadano, president of the Associated Builders and Contractors Delaware chapter, told lawmakers the industry had met with past and current Wilmington officials and argued the state license should be accepted statewide. "We're asking for consistency in the process to make sure it's like every other license that's being given statewide in the city of Delaware," Capadano said, arguing the added city exam discourages contractors from working in Wilmington and reduces competition.

Several legislators, led by Representative Baldwin, opposed the bill on home‑rule grounds. Baldwin told the committee she and Wilmington officials were not adequately consulted and noted a letter of opposition from the mayor and city council. "The city of Wilmington is very unique and very old," Baldwin said, citing historic buildings and complex, connected structures where local knowledge matters and urging more discussion with the city's new administration.

Industry witnesses countered that municipal permitting and inspections, along with continuing education requirements, can address city‑specific concerns and that widening the pool of licensed master contractors would increase permit compliance and potentially lower costs for residents. Contractor Ralph Degliobese testified he had met with Wilmington staff and said opening access to more licensed firms would reduce unpermitted work and increase city permit revenue.

After debate and public testimony, the committee took a roll-call vote and the chair announced Senate Bill 43 had received sufficient votes and was released from committee. The release does not resolve the dispute over Wilmington's home-rule concerns; several legislators and the city's elected officials expressed continued opposition in the hearing record.