WACO — Beginning Sept. 1, a license to practice plumbing in the state of Texas may no longer be necessary.
After two separate bills failed to pass during the 86th legislative session, both intended to reshape the plumbing industry's regulating systems, the board was expected to be abolished, leaving the licensing systems in the plumbing industry without recourse, come Sept. 1.
With the closure of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners looking imminent, Governor Greg Abbott tweeted this Tuesday:
TEXAS PLUMBERS: We’ve got this. The Legislature has given the Governor many tools in my toolbox to extend the State Board of Plumbing Examiners for two years without needing to call a special session. We will let you know very soon. Don’t worry.#txlege https://t.co/OEW0UDubH7
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 4, 2019
Abbott's tweet giving hope to Texas plumbers like Steve Robinson, of Mike Staas Plumbing. A 34-year veteran in the industry, he worries for the future.
"I'd be scared to call people out to the house. Our background checks are done to make sure you don't have a criminal or thief or something worse coming into your house," said Robinson. "We work hard every day to make sure we stay at the top of our game and give the best product and the best service that we can, and I'm afraid that's going to go down, no per say us, but in general overall."
On June 14, a rally in the hopes to save the industry is set to occur at the Texas State Capital.
