The latest rule change proposal from the NJ Register exempting Master Plumbers from the licensing requirements of the Landscape Irrigation Contractors Licensing Act"
9/9/2006 Talks between IAPMO & ICC break down on the proposed joint venture to combine plumbing codes. To read Russ Chaney's comments click on this link
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs [Division of Codes and Standards] has just announced that Master Plumbers are now exempt from obtaining a "Home Improvement Contractors" registration for virtually all tasks pursuant to N.J.A.C. 13:32-1.4 "Scope of Prctice". To read the latest decision from the UCC Code Communicator
READ THE ARTICLE NOW!
7/26/2006 - Kimberly Ricketts the present Director of the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs will be leaving that position on August 2,2006 for another position in the Department of Law & Public Safety. Steven Nolan will assume responsibilities as acting director of Cnsumer Affairs on Thursday August 3rd.
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Follow the links below to read the new proposed HVAC bill in committee. Take note that the original version of the bill is #A3897 and the newest version with the amendments is #A1016.
A-1016 Amendments
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A-1016 1/10/2006 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee
A-3857 Last Session Bill Number
Primary Sponser:Preito, Vincent
Primary Sponser:Cohen, Neil M.
Primary Sponser:Stack, Brian P.
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6/1/2006 - Below is the the one-man shop proposed legislation that has been referred to the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. This is another piece of legislation that the State League of Master Plumbers has been in the forefront of and has been instrumental in:
A-2965 5/11/2006 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
A2965 Permits certain self-employed individuals to purchase small employer health benefits plans.
Primary Sponser:Greenstein, Linda R.
Primary Sponser:Vas, Joseph
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4/18/2006 - Exerpted from 3/23/2006 minutes of the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers:
DIRECTOR KIMBERLY S. RICKETTS
CONSUMER AFFAIRS
DECISION REGARDING GAS PIPING AND HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS
On March 23, 2006, Deputy Attorney General Joseph A. Donofrio advised while in Open Public Session as follows:
Director Ricketts has determined that licensed master plumbers do not have to be separately registered as home improvement contractors (HICs) to work on gas piping on residential property. A contractor not licensed as a master plumber would need to register as an HIC to install, service or maintain gas piping on residential property.
2. CHARLES MANNING - REGULATORY AFFAIRS
* Home Improvement Registration & Gas piping
Recap: On February 23, 2006, the Board held a brief discussion in Open Session regarding recent inquiries concerning these issues. Several Licensed Master Plumbers were objecting to the Home Improvement Registration (HIR) requirement for gas piping. Further, other concerns have been expressed for unqualified individuals performing gas piping under the HIR.
At present, the existing Scope of Practice regulation defines 'gas piping' as one of the many tasks excluded from the scope of practice of the Licensed Master Plumber.
DAG Donofrio confirmed that a modification to the existing regulation is needed to change gas piping as a task included within the Scope of Practice of the Licensed Master Plumber.
Action of March 23, 2006:
Chuck Manning attended this meeting at the Board's request to address changing the Scope of Practice Regulation N.J.A.C. 13:32-1.4(f), by proposal, to clarify that a LMP may perform tasks which are not specifically included within the Scope of Practice {as outlined in 1.4 (d)} -- as long as the LMP performs the task consistent with professional plumbing standards.
Essentially, this change to the regulation will permit the Licensed Master Plumber to perform gas piping without the necessity of the Home Improvement Registration (HIR) card.
A motion was made by Michael Maloney and seconded by Ralph Wetzel to have Chuck Manning prepare a summary for this change. A vote was taken and the motion unanimously passed.
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3/12/2006 - As of Thursday 3/9/2006, Master Plumbers are EXEMPT from the HIC registration for installing, repairing etc. of gas piping systems. This was confirmed on Friday by a phone call with Mr. Thomas Pitcherello at Codes and Standards from Ron Viess . A letter will be drafted from DCA regarding the new decision which will notify municipalities of this change. This is a direct result of the commitment of the New Jersey State League of Master Plumbers to protect our profession. Please note that boilers, HVAC and other work which does not fall under the defined scope of professional practice is NOT EXEMPT YET. We are still working on this and will keep the members apprised of the progress. Congratulations to all those who have worked hard to secure your rights. It should also be noted what can be accomplished when our organization mobilizes and stands together on the tough issues.
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1/16/06 - The membership directory has been updated to reflect the contact info provided by the membership. There will be forms at each meeting that you may submit to edit your information.
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1/13/06 - A letter was drafted to the Attorney General congratulating her on her appointment and introducing our local associations concern for the lack of regulation regarding gasfitting. The state league is also drafting a letter to the Department of Consumer Affairs regarding gasfitting and the "Contractor Registration Act".
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1/12/06 - We are starting a campaign to contact the legislature to move on a "scope of practice" amendment to the regulations. Everyone must reach out to their network and ask them to contact their SENATOR AND TWO CONGRESSMEN and let them know that the new law is hurting plumbers. It will go a long way in assisting our cause. Do not sit back and let your collegues stand alone. It only takes a few minutes to do. It is imperative that EVERYONE, even non members get involved in this campaign.
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1/5/06 - We now have rosters of everyones contact info in our local association. They will be available at our monthly meetings. They are a good way of keeping in touch with each other and sharing ideas in order to better communicate them with our officers and ultimately the State League. If anyone has a particular concern they can contact Tony by email. His email address will be on the updated roster handout.
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1/5/06 - As many of you already know, as of January 1,2006 the State of New Jersey has enacted the ""Contractors Registration Act" P.L. 2004, c.16 (N.J.S.A. 56:8-136 et seq.) which requires that all home improvement contractors be registered. Unfortunately, our "scope of practice" (see bottom of page) as Master Plumbers is silent regarding fuel gas piping, boilers and HVAC among the many other tasks we have been customarily performing throughout our careers.
The State League, along with our local association has committed itself this year to the inclusion of such language that will ensure the practice of gasfitting to the licensed Master Plumber. However, any person or entity who did not apply for the new registration prior to December 31st is in violation of the "Act" if they perform gas piping, maintenance or repairs on gas piping after January 1, 2006.
It should be noted that the "Act" applies to RESIDENTIAL work only, and does not affect commercial work performed. Conversely, if you did not apply for the registration prior to December 31st, you will be in violation if you perform any work that does not fall under the "scope of practice" pursuant to N.J.A.C. 45:14C-2 of the regulations.
If you did register prior to the deadline and you are still waiting for the Department of Consumer Affairs to dig itself out from the mountain of paperwork it has generated and issue you your new shiny registration card, you may file a "certification to obtain municipal permit" which is available at any municipal code enforcement office. You must file one of these certifications with each permit application. I have linked to the Department of Consumer Affairs and you may download a copy of the certification to use as a template to copy as needed
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