Pt11mbing & Heating Contractors I UAC (i)

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BEFORE THE

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE COMMITTEE

PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING

HOUSE BILL #1357

STATE LICENSURE OF PLUMBERS

TESTIMONY OF WALTER KRZYZANOWSKI

PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PLUMBING CONTRACTORS - UNION AFFILIATED CONTRACTORS LOCAL #690

LICENSED MASTER PLUMBER - CITY OF PHILADELPHIA #2749

MEMBER & TRUSTEE OF PLUMBERS UNION LOCAL #690, PHILADELPHIA

MEMBER ST A TE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - P APHCC

PAST PRESIDENT (2 TERMS) STATE ASSOCIATION -PAPHCC

FORMER OWNER & PRESIDENT OF KRZYZANOWSKI PLUMBING, INC.

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PO Box 187 • Feasterville, PA 19053 • Phone: 215-444-9200 • Fax: 215-444-9201 •'89z11

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Plumbing & Heating Contractors Union Affiliated Contractors Local #690

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Good Morning Chaiiwoman Harhart, Chairman Readshaw and the members of the Professional Licensure Committee:

My name is Walter Krzyzanowski and I am the President and Executive Director of the Plumbing Contractors - Union Affiliated Contractors of Plumbers Union Local #690 in Philadelphia, PA. Thank you for hearing my testimony and accepting my written testimony in support of House Bill #1357 - the Statewide Licensure for Plumbers. My involvement in the Plumbing Industry is very extensive dating back almost fifty years. I have been involved with every and all areas of the Plumbing Industry from design, installation, sales, education and now leadership. I am now and have always been extremely proud to hold the title of Master Plumber and follow in my father's footsteps through a family plumbing company he started in 1956. I'm also proud to say that my son, a third generation Master Plumber, now runs this company. I have another son well on his way to becoming a Master Plumber as well. My knowledge of the Plumbing Industry are not what we are here to discuss today. What we are here to discuss are the benefits of passing the legislation before you today.

Plumbing is often taken for granted. People stand in front of their sinks, tum on the faucet and expect to find clean and safe water to drink, to bath in, to wash their clothes in and a host of many other things without ever knowing the amount of technology and work that is involved to make this happen.

They also expect the sink, bathtub, washing machine, etc. will drain, again without ever knowing, what it takes to dispose of waste in a safe, healthy and responsible manner without contaminating our environment.

Plumbing installations and repairs done incorrectly could not only sicken people and pets but cause loss of life. Through dangerous and illegal cross connections in drinking water systems performed by untrained, unlicensed and unskilled people could have a devastating affect to the health and safety of masses of men, women, children and pets alike. This is evident in the unfortunate situation that now exists in Flint, Michigan and many other areas of our State and Country that never make it into the media.

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PO Box 187 • Feastervillc, PA 19053 • Phone: 215-444-9200 • Fax: 215-444-9201 ~

Plumbing & Heating Contractors : UAC Union Affiliated Contractors Local #690 1111t.allllllldC1111nc11rs

If passed, this legislation would add a significant layer of protection for all consumers and residents of the Commonwealth. It would enhance the State Attorney General's registration of Contractors and would go a long way to ensure that the health, safety and economic well being of everyone, especially the elderly portion of our population are protected.

This legislation is supported equally by organized labor and the open shop or non-union portion of the Plumbing Industry. The people representing these interests are extremely proud of the relationships developed and mutual respect shown in coming together for the common goal of protecting consumers and protecting the business interests of all Plumbers and Plumbing Contractors in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This legislation would not disrupt or change any existing practices of job or work permitting. This legislation would not disrupt or change any existing practices regarding jurisdiction or work assignments.

Pennsylvania is one of only six States in the Country that currently does not have a Statewide License for Plumbers. This puts Pennsylvania Plumbing Contractors at a disadvantage on ~evcral levels because Pennsylvania has no uniform or consistent manner of licensing Plumbers or Plumbing Contractors. It is extremely difficult and in most cases impossible for Pennsylvania Contractors to perform any work in the States that border Pennsylvania, who al! but one have Statewide Licensure. Conversely, Plumbing Contractors from the surrounding States have the ability to enter Pennsylvania and perform plumbing projects due to the fact that most every Township and Municipality in the State of Pennsylvania will recognize the credentials from these States because of their Statewide and State Mandated Plumbing License. These Contractors coming in from out of State often do not pay all of the taxes that Permsylvania based Contractors pay on a daily basis, such as, State and Local taxes, Local sales taxes, etc. Pennsylvania Contractors employ local workers, your constituents and support the local and State economy on a daily basis.

There is also an economic component to this legislation. If passed, this legislation could be responsible for millions of dollars on a annual basis in licensing fees. As proposed, the State Board of Plumbing Contractors would oversee licensing and be a self-sustaining Board. Under this legislation only an $85,000.00 appropriation is being requested, which will be paid back by the State Board. This additional monies could certainly be put to good use by the State for programs such as: after school programs, daycare and assistance for the elderly, just to name a few.

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PO Box 187 • Feasterville, PA 19053 • Phone: 215-444-9200 • Fax: 215~444-9201 ~:iii

Plumbing & Heating Contractors Union Affiliated Contractors Local #690

UAC

While most areas of the business sector complain about too much government in business, the Plumbing Industry is an Industry asking for more government interaction recognizing it would benefit consumers and business interest alike.

Under this legislation a Plumbing Contractor would be required to purchase only one license to perform work in the State of Pennsylvania as opposed to purchasing sometimes thousands of dollars worth of licenses to perfonn services in each Borough, Township and Municipality. This alone would represent a significant cost savings to consumers.

Under the grandfather clause contained in this legislation, careful consideration was given not to adversely affect any person or persons currently providing plumbing services that do not otherwise have any licensing rules in the areas of the State that they work in.

Today or in the future, the Licensure Committee may hear testimonies, views or opinions from other groups or organizations that represent little or no Plumbers or Plumbing Contractors. Although these groups have a right to be heard and a right to their opinion, the Plumbing Industry has met with and considered the concerns of all groups that have expressed concerns and have made many language changes to the legislation over the last ten plus years to accommodate the concerns raised by these groups.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires State Licenses for many, many things from styling hair, cosmetology, auto sales, interior design, massage therapist, just to name a few. And just about every trade or business that requires State Licensure has a State Board. Recent legislation was passed to ensure things like styling hair, selling automobiles and training hunting dogs are all done correctly. The Plumbing Industry feels that it's time to regulate and oversee something that can sicken or even kill you or a member of your family.

The universal motto of the Plumbing Industry dating back to the I 800's is "The Plumber Protects the Health of the Nation". We as professional plumbers feel the same sense of duty as our elected officials to protect the public. Please help us in our mission by passing House Bill #1357. Thank you for allowing me the time to express my views and opinions and the views and opinions of my members and the entire Plumbing Industry.

Respectfully submitted by: Walter Krzyzanowski

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PO Box 187 • Feasterville, PA 19053 • Phone: 215-444-9200 • Fax: 215-444-9201 ~