On Thursday Gov. Abbott graciously extended the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners until 2021 by way of an executive order.
The Board, that regulates licensed plumbers in the state of Texas was set to be dissolved Sept 1 of this year, due to the Texas Legislature failing to extend its life during the 86th session.
The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners is responsible for licensing plumbers and investigating any claims of unlicensed work and or possible violations of the plumbing licensing law.
“Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, whose mission is ‘to protect Texas citizens against the health and safety hazards that can result from improperly installed plumbing, gas, and medical gas systems,’ will continue to play an essential role in all these efforts by ensuring that the plumbers who rebuild Texas and prepare for future disasters do so in a manner that will safeguard public health, safety, and property,” Gov. Abbott said in a proclamation.
Since the weeks following the impending closure of the 86th Texas Legislative session, many in the plumbing industry had called on Abbott to call in a special session in order to extend the agency.
Earlier this month the Governor answered the call with a tweet of reassurance that his office had a way to extend the agency without calling lawmakers back to the state capital.
Within the order, it states, “to fulfill the demands for rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey and keeping Texas prepared and able to recover from future disasters, it is necessary to continue the Board to perform its indispensable role in protecting Texans.”
Furthermore, Abbott also said, “A qualified workforce of licensed plumbers throughout the state, including from areas not directly affected by Hurricane Harvey, will be essential as those funds are being invested in crucial infrastructure, medical facilities, living facilities, and other construction projects.”
The order will delay the abolishment of the state board until “disaster needs subside” or the 87th legislative session, which is scheduled to meet in 2021; addresses the issue according to the executive order.
Until such time, “this executive order supersedes all previous orders on this matter that are in conflict or inconsistent with its terms, and this order shall remain in effect and in full force until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding governor.
Given under my hand this the 13th day of June, 2019,” read the proclamation.
