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Ironworkers, contractors and policy groups urge rejection or major changes to glazier bill
Summary
Ironworkers, employer groups, contractors and policy researchers told the committee B26-0422 would reassign trade jurisdiction, impose new private certification costs and hinder small contractors and apprentices without clear evidence of systemic failures.
Several trade and policy witnesses told the committee they oppose B26-0422 as written because it would redefine who can perform curtain wall and large façade work and embed a private certification into statutory licensure.
Kendall Martin, president of Ironworkers Mid Atlantic District Council, said the bill "attempts to legislate trade jurisdiction" by defining glazier work to include curtain walls; he warned the change could invite conflict, delay and litigation. Sebastian Fetzlak, political coordinator for Ironworkers Mid Atlantic, called AGMT a "non‑neutral" certifier and said the program's fees — a $1,400 certification fee and $600 recertification fee every four years — would impose large costs on workers and unions.
Chad Reese of the Institute for Justice argued that licensing often raises barriers to employment, noting that AGMT currently covers a small portion of the national workforce and that tying a license to one third‑party certifier risks locking in private control of qualifications. Matt Tafoe (Associated Builders & Contractors Metro Washington) asked the committee to ensure any certification or licensure is objective, transparent and uniformly enforced so it does not hinder competition.
