May 31, 2005

 

To Whom it may concern,

Re: An act concerning Continuing Education requirements for certain occupational licenses. (SB 1255)

 

Why this proposed legislation should be voted upon:

 

The original call and  purpose of legislation regarding continuing education was specifically titled "an act concerning professional educational requirements for Electricians. (March 5, 2002 meeting of the Connecticut general law committee SB 501.

 

Keep in mind, at this point in time, 99 percent of Connecticut's licensed plumbers knew nothing of the proposed law.

 

Members of a special interest group (the PHCC) show up at the March 5, 2002 meeting. They convinced the general law committee to include plumbers in the act as well as electricians. The general law committee was misled. Robert Hupplesberg (executive director of the PHCC) erroneously testified on behalf of the Connecticut department of consumer protection. Hupplesberg also asked to submit a statement on behalf of Pipe fitters local 777. Hupplesberg hood winked  the general law committee claiming local 777 and the department of consumer protection were in favor of the act.  The general law committee endorsed the proposed act and it went on to be enacted into law.

 

Once the legislation was enacted and 8,000 plumbers found they were required to comply with the above, we petitioned our legislators and asked they to sponsor new legislation to amend the above.  Initially, the general law committee was reluctant to hear our case.  However, after they examined the facts, they agreed to hear us and subsequently agreed to modify the requirement and SB 1255 was unanimously endorsed by the Connecticut general law committee and then unanimously approved by the Connecticut senate.

Speaker of the house Jim Amann has yet to allow SB 1255 to be voted upon.

 

I'm sure you will all agree SB 1255 deserves an up or down vote.

 

Respectfully Yours,

Murray Renshaw