State Rep. Doug Wozniak on Wednesday voted against a plan to limit the number of apprentices journeyman plumbers may train at a given time. The plan passed the House along party lines.

Currently, there is no limit to how many plumbers a single journeyman can train simultaneously. Under Senate Bill 740, a journey or master plumber would not be able to train more than two plumbers at once.

“Imposing these restrictions on plumbers during devastating labor shortages would be a significant oversight on the part of state government,” said Wozniak, R-Shelby Township. “We should be exploring policy that encourages more people to get into the trades, not financially disincentivizing businesses already operating on tight budgets from hiring young professionals.”

Violators of the law would face a $5,000 fine for a first-time offense, a $10,000 fine for a second offense, and a minimum 90-day license suspension for any third violation.

Several organizations announced their opposition to the plan, including the Home Builders Association of Michigan, the Michigan Water Environment Association, the Grand Rapids Chamber, the Small Business Association of Michigan, and the American Water Works Association of Michigan.

“If these restrictions on plumbers are put into effect, the cost to pay for the increased labor and training requirements will have to come from somewhere,” Wozniak said. “The heightened cost imposed on businesses will almost definitely be passed down onto consumers who will then be strapped with even more increased costs that they simply cannot afford.”

###