Minnesota Senate Labor Committee hears plumbing board overview, recommends six appointees

The Minnesota Senate Labor Committee on Feb. 26 heard a presentation from the Minnesota Plumbing Board on its work to adopt a modified version of the 2024 Uniform Plumbing Code and recommended six appointees for confirmation.

The board's chair, Carl Abrahamson, told the committee the board's primary duty is to adopt a modified version of the Uniform Plumbing Code to create a Minnesota plumbing code tailored to the state's needs. He said the board has been working for more than two years on the latest update and expects to begin formal rulemaking in the spring.

The presentation explained the board's composition and statutory charge, including licensing rules and interpretive authority. "The board's primary duty is to adopt a modified version of the uniform plumbing code as a Minnesota plumbing code," Abrahamson said, summarizing the board's focus on coordinating code updates with other state agencies.

After questions about meeting frequency and the board's timeline for completing the code revisions, Chair McEwen moved to recommend confirmation of six plumbing board nominees for whom appointment paperwork had been received: Richard Becker, Kent Erickson, Adam Johnson, Jonathan Lemke, Justin Perozek and Philip Wood. Senator Doornack made the motion; the committee approved it by voice vote.

The plumbing board members thanked the committee and offered to remain available for future questions. The committee noted that the terms for half the plumbing board had expired in December and said it would take up remaining appointments when paperwork is complete.

The committee adjourned the plumbing board portion of the meeting after the appointment recommendation and brief closing remarks.