RDCSB218 4464 2888
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
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.
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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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the
reengrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
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