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HBC tells House subcommittee inspectors are stretched thin; seeks two hires
Summary
Public Protection Cabinet officials told the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Feb. 3 that the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction needs an additional plumbing inspector and a plumbing plan reviewer for Bowling Green/Warren County and warned electrical inspectors statewide are limited, straining response capacity during major projects and disasters.
The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Protection, Tourism, and Energy heard Feb. 3 from Max Fuller, Commissioner of the Department of Housing, Buildings, and Construction, that the agency is facing inspector staffing shortages and coverage challenges.
Fuller told the committee that HBC does not perform building inspections for single‑family homes — those responsibilities lie with local governments — but that the agency is responsible for plumbing, HVAC and electrical inspections on state projects and in localities when local inspectors are not available. "Those inspectors are being stretched too thin," Fuller said, and the agency has identified the need for one additional plumbing inspector and one plumbing plan reviewer.
Deputy Commissioner David Moore told the subcommittee the plumbing plan reviewer is needed in the Bowling Green/Warren County area because the position’s current duties are being covered by a Field Operations Manager who plans to retire soon; staff hope to hire a replacement in time for on‑the‑job overlap and training before the manager’s departure. Fuller said the agency aims to avoid service gaps when experienced staff leave.
Fuller also described electrical inspector coverage as limited: there are only nine electrical inspectors assigned statewide. He said state statute assigns smaller buildings (typically those with under 100 occupants) to local government inspectors, but HBC steps in for larger or exceptional projects — the Ford plant in Glendale was offered as an example — and when local jurisdictions lack capacity. Fuller warned the division is additionally strained during disasters such as tornadoes, floods or severe winter weather when inspection demand rises.
The presentation provided the subcommittee with staffing needs and locality coverage details but did not include a committee vote or formal action on hiring. The subcommittee is scheduled to meet next on Feb. 10, 2026.
