An Update From Austin
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2020: Countdown to One of the Most Important Legislative Sessions Ever for Our Industry
As we enter 2020 and begin the countdown to the 2021 legislative session, I’d like to reinforce that PHCC’s primary advocacy objective for the year will be to ensure statewide licensure of plumbing continues. We remain at the table on all pivotal conversations associated with the sunset process of the State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE), as well as discussions regarding TSBPE online examination options and issues related to the workforce shortage. As you know, the conversation regarding the status of TSBPE and statewide licensure will continue in 2021 and will certainly be part of the sunset discussion of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). TDLR is itself up for sunset review in 2021.
PHCC’s government relations team will be working on a number of strategic relationships during the year to position the organization for the 2021 session. In addition to having a prominent voice in the sunset discussions, PHCC will continue to actively oppose legislation that burdens business practices and increases regulatory costs.
I will continue to work closely with PHCC’s new executive director, Sarah Rayburn, as we prepare for the session. Stay tuned for more updates.
Sarah Rayburn Hired as Executive Director of PHCC
The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association of Texas (PHCC) has announced the hiring of Sarah Rayburn as its new executive director. Rayburn will replace current Executive Director Alicia Dover, who is retiring effective March 31.
Rayburn joins PHCC with a wealth of experience in various operational and leadership positions for nonprofit organizations. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas at Austin and her master’s in public administration from The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University. She has served in consulting capacities for a number of organizations and enjoys spending her free time volunteering with youth organizations across Austin.
Dover will continue to advise PHCC in a legislative consultant capacity as it prepares for the 2021 session, when its top legislative priority will be maintaining statewide licensure of plumbers in Texas. In 2019, the State Board of Plumbing Examiners was “sunsetted” when it was not renewed during the 86th Texas legislative session. This would have left the industry without oversight, putting public health and safety at risk. However, Gov. Greg Abbott extended the board by executive order until its status can be addressed during the state’s 87th legislative session in 2021.
“I am honored to have been selected to lead an organization as well-respected and trusted as PHCC,” said Rayburn. “Plumbers play a vital role in the lives of all Texans, and they are an instrumental player in our state’s growing economy. The importance of statewide licensure for these professionals cannot be overstated, and I look forward to supporting the organization and its members as we work to ensure that appropriate licensing and oversight of the plumbing industry remains in place.”
Speaker Bonnen Makes Big Changes to Sunset Commission Membership
Even though he’s announced he will not be seeking re-election to the Texas House of Representatives, Speaker Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, is expected to continue in his role as the presiding officer of the House until the 87th Texas Legislature is sworn into office on Jan. 12, 2021.
In his role, the speaker appoints half of the members to the state’s Sunset Commission (Commission) that reviews and adopts changes recommended for state agencies. The other half are appointed by the lieutenant governor, who presides over the Texas Senate.
Recently, Speaker Bonnen announced he would be replacing current Sunset Commission Chair State Rep. Chris Paddie, R-Marshall, with State Rep. John Cyrier, R-Lockhart. The speaker also announced he would be replacing current Commission member State Rep. Poncho Nevarez, D-Eagle Pass, with State Rep. Tony Canales, D-Edinburg and adding State Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Ft. Worth, as a new member.
Both Paddie and Nevarez factored heavily into the Legislature’s debate about the future of the State Board of Plumbing Examiners during the 2019 session. Their roles as members of the Commission added weight to their respective positions during the debate.
Rep. Paddie is seeking re-election and will be favored to win so despite his removal from the Sunset Commission, he will likely remain a key voice during the state licensure discussion in 2021. Nevarez is not seeking re-election.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced four new appointments to the Sunset Advisory Commission that include Senators Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, and Angela Paxton, R-McKinney. Ralph Duggins, of Fort Worth, is the new the public member appointee.
Senators Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, and Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, will continue to serve on the Commission. Sen. Buckingham will serve as the vice-chair for the 2019-2021 Review Cycle.
PHCC leadership and its government relations team continue to assess the impact of these changes on the state licensure debate expected in 2021. If you have or your company has a relationship with any of the newly named members of the Sunset Commission, please contact Alicia Dover (alicia@phcc-tx.org). PHCC will be encouraging its membership to contact key legislators regarding statewide licensure in the coming months.
Filing Deadline Ends, 2020 State and Federal Elections in Texas Set
The filing deadline for the 2020 elections in Texas has passed. With the 2020 presidential race heading the ballot, the election is expected to generate huge voter interest, with results impacting who will reside in the White House all the way down to which party will control the Texas House of Representatives.
There are no statewide office elections in 2020, but there is a full slate of races in the Texas Senate and Texas House.
A total of 17 candidates (12 Democrats/5 Republicans) have filed to challenge U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who will be seeking re-election in 2020.
In the Texas Senate, 16 of the 31 members are up for election. The current partisan breakdown of the Senate is 19 Republicans and 12 Democrats. Only one senator is retiring (Rodriguez, D-El Paso), resulting in a contested race in a heavily democratic stronghold. Ten Senate incumbents face opposition in the general election (Republicans: Hughes, Creighton, Taylor, Nelson, Kolkhorst, Flores, Birdwell and Buckingham; Democrats: Hinojosa and Zaffirini). Flores is the only incumbent who faces an uphill battle, as he is currently serving his first term after a surprising special election win in 2018 in a traditionally democratic district. While other incumbents will be favored to win, voter turnout will be an unpredictable factor that could produce some surprises on election night.
The outcome of races for the Texas House remains much more uncertain at this point. The current partisan breakdown in the House is 83 Republicans and 66 Democrats with one vacancy. In 2018, a total of 25 House seats were decided by a margin of 10% or less, with fifteen of those races being determined by less than 5%.
Some believe up to 31 House seats could have competitive races during the general election. To regain control of the Texas House, the Democrats would need a net gain of nine seats.
For a list of all state and federal contests in Texas during 2020, you may click here.
Strong Response to PHCC Key Contact Program
Thank you to all who have expressed your interest in supporting PHCC’s legislative outreach program in 2020. In the months leading up to the 2021 session, PHCC will be helping to develop key contact relationships between its members and their respective legislators. Those who have volunteered to participate in the program should expect communications from PHCC in the coming weeks.
Alicia Dover
Executive Director – PHCC
