ELECTRICIANS & PLUMBERS; APPRENTICE RATIOS S.B. 740 (S-1):
SUMMARY OF SUBSTITUTE BILL
IN COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 740 (Substitute S-1)
Sponsor: Senator Darrin Camilleri
Committee: Labor
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Skilled Trades Regulation Act to require a jobsite ratio of one journey or master plumber to not more than two apprentices and prescribe administrative fines for violating the ratio.
An apprentice plumber must, as the plumber's principal occupation, be engaged in learning and assisting in the installation of plumbing under direct jobsite supervision of a journey or master plumber. Currently, the Act does not require a specific ratio of journey or master plumbers to apprentices on a jobsite. The bill would require the ratio of journey or master plumbers who provide direct on-site, in-person supervision to apprentice to be one journey or master plumber to not more than two apprentices on a jobsite. The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) or an enforcing agency would have to enforce the ratio on a jobsite basis.
Under the bill, a plumbing contractor who violated the applicable ratio would be subject to the following punishments:
-- For a first violation, a $5,000 administrative fine.
-- For a second violation, a $10,000 administrative fine.
-- For a third violation, a suspension of licensure for at least 90 days; after 90 days, the plumbing contractor could have the license reinstated if the plumbing contractor passed the appropriate licensing examination.
The bill would require LARA to pay any money collected for an administrative fine to the enforcing agency that discovered the violation that resulted in the administrative fine. If LARA issued an order for a violation, LARA would be entitled to actual costs and attorney fees related to the investigation and adjudication of the violation.
MCL 339.6117 et al. Legislative Analyst: Alex Krabill
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have a positive fiscal impact on State government. The administrative fines collected would be paid to the enforcing agency that discovered the violation but the increase in revenue from fines would depend on the number of violations.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.