February 10th, 2012 9:46 AM
PMA Leaders Meet at Capitol with Secretary
of State Brian Kemp about License Board Revamp

On February 1st, PMA President Earl Lively, LECO Mechanical, PHCC Zone 2 Director Chip Greene, Greene & Associates, PMA Board Member and Legislative Chair Ted Zurn, Zurn Plumbing, PMA Executive Director Ellen Whitaker, PMA Lobbyist Sharon Dunn met with Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Deputy SOS Kelly Farr, and Chuck Harper of Legislative Affairs. Mr. Kemp gave our group an overview of the changes he was proposing to revamp the professional license board to increase the efficiency of the license review process and complaints against unlicensed individuals. Most of the examples cited were for industries unrelated to plumbing. The model his team is using is based on what is in place in Texas. According to our counterparts in Texas, the Plumbing Division has been separate and remains separate from the centralized License Board since 1948. PMA voiced our concern about the creation of the new Georgia Board of Licensing and Regulation (GBLR) that would replace the existing 43 license boards and their industry experts with a seven member consumer board appointed by the Governor. The current license boards as we know them today would be converted to serve in an advisory and policy making role. While PMA applauds the efforts and enthusiasm of the Secretary of State and his staff to streamline operations and improve inefficiencies, we are concerned about his aggressive plan to implement wholesale changes without constructive input from the industries impacted. He stated he was positive these changes could be implemented during the 2012 legislative session. As of Friday, February 3rd, legislative Day 14, Mr. Kemp did not have a sponsor for his bill, nor has the approximately 900 page bill been introduced. Once introduced, this leaves little time left in the remaining 26 day session for public hearings or input. PMA encourages you to take action now by contacting your state legislators to voice your concerns about this proposed legislation.

To find your state legislators go to http://www. plumbingpros.com/legislative.htm Send your feedback or request to join our electronic Legislative Update by contacting: ewhitaker @plumbingpros.com. The Plumbing & Mechanical Association of Georgia, (PMA) is the oldest state Construction trade association and the premiere organization for the plumbing professional. Since 1892, PMA has been the industry leader in promotion, advancement, education and training. Today PMA has more than 130 plumbing-mechanical and industry company members and 2,500 technicians who work in the residential, commercial, new construction, industrial and service and repair industry segments. PMA is dedicated to protecting the health and comfort of the public by promoting industry education and improving consumer relations with professionalism and integrity. PMA is affiliated with the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association (PHCC). Formed in 1883, PHCC-National Association is the oldest construction trade association in the country, with more than 3,500 contractor members and 75,000 technicians.