The original instrument was prepared by Yoursheka Butler. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Xavier
Alexander.
DIGEST
SB 218 Reengrossed 2023 Regular Session Womack
Present law creates the State Plumbing Board of Louisiana (board) to consist of nine members as
follows:
(1)One registered engineer.
(2)One plumbing inspector.
(3)Three master plumbers.
(4)Three journeyman plumbers.
(5)One tradesman plumber.
Proposed law retains present law, renames the "Louisiana State Board of Health" the "Louisiana
Department of Health", and requires its appointees to be licensed by the board.
Present law requires the board to adopt tests of qualifications for any person engaged in the duties
of a tradesman or master plumber.
Proposed law retains present law and removes the board's option to accept an affidavit from an
individual certifying his work experience in the field of plumbing.
Present law prohibits a natural person from engaging in the work of a journeyman plumber unless
he possesses a license or renewal thereof issued by the board. Present law also permits a journeyman
plumber to engage in the art of plumbing when he is under the supervision of a licensed master
plumber.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that a journeyman plumber that repaired plumbing
without the supervision of a master plumber prior to January 1, 2024, may continue to operate in
such a manner for a period of five years, and shall within that five-year period pass the master
plumber examination to obtain a master plumber license.
Present law permits apprentices to engage in the art of plumbing but requires the apprentice to be
under the direct, constant on-the-job supervision of a licensed journeyman plumber.
Present law also defines "direct, constant on-the-job supervision".
Proposed law retains present law. Present law provides that in order to obtain a tradesman plumber limited license, a person must work
at least 4,000 hours at the manual labor of plumbing under the direct, constant on-the-job supervision
of a licensed journeyman or master plumber.
Proposed law retains present law and further clarifies that the 4,000-hour requirement applies to
unindentured apprentices. Proposed law also adds that indentured apprentices must complete at least
3,000 hours at the manual labor of plumbing under the direct, constant on-the-job supervision of a
licensed journeyman or master plumber to obtain a tradesman plumber limited license.
Proposed law defines "apprentice gas fitter" and "indentured apprentices".
Present law provides that no master plumber license will be issued, renewed, or revived until the
applicant has provided proof acceptable to the board that insurance has been issued to the employing
entity by an insurer authorized to do business in this state.
Proposed law retains present law and makes present law applicable to master natural gas fitter
licenses.
Present law authorizes the board to require master plumbers and master natural gas fitters to provide
proof of comprehensive general liability and property damage insurance before issuing, renewing,
or reviving an applicant's license.
Proposed law retains present law and raises the minimum aggregate amount of comprehensive
general liability and property damage insurance from $100,000 to $500,000.
Effective August 1, 2023.
(Amends R.S. 37:1361(B) (intro para) and (B)(1), 1366(C), 1367(A)(2), 1368(A)(1)(b), 1377(C),
and 1380(A) and (B)(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer
Protection, and International Affairs to the original bill
1. Provides that a journeyman plumber that repaired plumbing without supervision prior
to January 1, 2024, may continue to operate in such a manner for a period of five
years.
2. Requires that the registered engineer and the inspector shall also be licensed by the
State Plumbing Board to serve as a member of the State Plumbing Board.
3. Make technical changes. Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Make technical changes.