 We’re excited to announce that the REACH 2025 PHCC-TX Annual Conference will be held August 6th - 8th in San Antonio, Texas! This is an event you won't want to miss – an incredible opportunity to REACH for the stars and elevate our industry to new heights.
This year’s conference will build on the core values that define us: Respect, Education, Advocacy, Community, and Honor. With a packed schedule of educational sessions, networking events, and hands-on experiences like the Apprentice Contest and Trade Show, there's something for everyone. Whether you're a contractor, exhibitor, sponsor, or just passionate about growing your business and industry, this conference is designed to inspire and empower.
Key Highlights to Look Forward To:
Engaging Sessions: From legislative updates to hands-on workshops, you'll leave with knowledge you can apply immediately.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with industry leaders, peers, and potential partners at our Opening Reception, Backyard BBQ Dinner, and more.
Apprentice Contest: Watch the next generation of plumbers showcase their skills in real-time.
Vendors and Exhibitors: Explore the latest products and services in the vendor hall.
Registration:
Not open yet, but stay tuned!
Hotel Information:
We’ve secured a fantastic location at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio – perfect for both business and relaxation.
- Room rate: $235 per night
- Reservation link coming soon…
Don’t Miss Out!
Mark your calendars, start planning your trip, and be on the lookout for further announcements as we approach registration opening. We can’t wait to see you in San Antonio in August 2025!
Stay tuned for more details coming soon – we look forward to reaching new heights together!
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 The holidays are just around the corner, and PHCC-TX is excited to invite all of our members – and any plumbers who want to join the fun – to our Santa’s Favorite Plumbers Holiday Party & Toy Drive!
Date: Thursday, December 19th
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM CST
Location: PHCC-TX Headquarters, 145 Trademark Dr, Buda, TX 78610
Come celebrate the season with your fellow industry professionals while giving back to those in need! We’ll have plenty of food, drinks (tea and soda provided; BYOB for something stronger), and fun activities like Holiday Movie Trivia and an Ugly Sweater Contest – with some amazing prizes up for grabs!
Giving Back:Help us spread some holiday cheer by bringing a toy to donate to our Toy Drive. Your donation will make a big difference for families in need this season. In addition, we encourage you to consider a contribution to the PHCC-TX Scholarship Fund to support the next generation of plumbers through our apprenticeship programs. Donations are 100% tax-deductible and can be made online or at the event.
Best of All – It’s Free!
This festive event is completely free to attend, but we do ask that you RSVP to ensure we have enough food and drinks for everyone.
Let’s come together to make this holiday season truly special. We can't wait to celebrate with you all – mark your calendars, and get ready for a night of fun, community, and giving!
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A recent study estimates that 29% of all traffic-related deaths are due to distractions.1 Distracted driving is a choice — one that can have serious consequences for everyone sharing the road. Ultimately, you and your employees need to make choices that impact everyone’s safety and well-being while driving.
One way to do this is to remind your employees to plan ahead before driving by using the following tactics:
Silence Phone Notifications: Before hitting the road, silence your phone to avoid the temptation to check it during your drive. Prepare Your GPS in Advance: Set up your GPS and review your route before starting your journey to help prevent last-minute distractions. Check Conditions: Look for detours, traffic updates, and weather forecasts to better plan your route and avoid sudden changes. Communicate Plans: Inform others when you leave and your expected arrival time to keep them updated without needing to check your phone. Pull Over for Calls: If you need to make a call or send an update, find a safe place to pull over first. Use a Driving Telematics Program: Utilize in-cab technology or driving telematics programs to enhance your accountability and safety on the road.
By encouraging these responsible habits, you can reinforce safer driving behaviors for your employees.
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Our 2025 courses are approved by TSBPE for all licenses expiring in 2025 and also meets the annual continuing education requirement for licenses expiring in preceding years.
Upcoming Courses in December:
Find by Location:
or Find by Course Type:
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"A training course for service contractors by service contractors."
How do you train a technician to be productive and able to run a service truck in record time? Take a look at the Foundation's Fast Track to Service & Repair Plumbing, available through our PHCC Academy® learning platform. This revamped program, originally developed by Quality Service Contractors (QSC), gives participants focused and timely service and repair plumbing training.
Designed for contractors by contractors, this comprehensive entry-level training is targeted at employees who do residential or commercial plumbing service and repair work. Year-round open enrollment is available so employees can begin today.
The Fast Track program meets the eligibility requirements for the Foundation scholarship program, so enrollees can apply for a scholarship to help with the registration fee. Please see the scholarship webpage for details and the application deadline.
Students study at their own pace as the work week permits, with most students finishing in nine to 12 months. The course includes 34 training modules critical for the success of today's plumbing service and repair proffesionals. Topics include: safety, customer service, plumbing and electrical work, basic business skills, and more.
Fast Track to Service Plumbing was made possible through generous support from PHCC members, manufacturers, and industry partners to the PHCC Educational Foundation.
Contact the PHCC State Office (512) 523-8094 or learn more here.
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Many business owners spend a lifetime building a business without considering the range of life events that could impact their business succession planning. Although some business owners have put together buy-sell agreements on the advice of their corporate attorney, it’s not a bad idea to review your plan with someone experienced at drafting business succession planning documents.
When designing a business succession plan, you need to carefully consider each life event that may impact your business and the impacted owners.
Your Plan Can Include Many Factors
Although death is a common life event addressed by buy-sell agreements, other factors can be just as important to consider.
Did you know that over one in four 20-year-olds will become disabled before they retire? And what happens if one of your business owners becomes permanently disabled or goes through a divorce? If your buy-sell agreement does not cover a range of common life events it could place your entire business succession plan at risk.
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 Question
We had to close our office for a few days due to the recent storms. Are employees entitled to be paid for the days we were closed? Does it matter if the employees are exempt or nonexempt? All our employees are paid a salary, but some are exempt and some are nonexempt.
Answer
An employer’s obligation to pay employee wages during weather-related absences depends on whether the salaried employee is exempt from federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements and whether the employer remains open during the weather emergency.
The U.S. Department of Labor considers an exempt employee who does not report to work during a weather emergency to be absent from work for personal reasons when their employer remains open for business. Employers can lawfully deduct or withhold the employee’s wages for every full day that the employee does not report for work. However, salaried exempt employees who report to work—regardless of how late they report or how many hours they work that day—must be paid for a full day’s work.
If closed due to weather, employers must compensate salaried exempt employees for being ready, willing, and able to work. However, exempt employees do not need to be paid for any full workweek in which they perform no work.
Determining payment for nonexempt employees is more straightforward. The FLSA requires employers to compensate their nonexempt employees only for the hours nonexempt employees actually work. An employer does not have to compensate a nonexempt employee for time not worked due to a weather emergency. Employers should check their state and local laws for any additional rules that may apply.
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The Republican Party continues to dominate elected positions in Texas following the November General Election. All statewide elected officeholders are Republicans; the last Democrat elected statewide in Texas was former Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock in 1994. Republicans slightly increased their majorities in both legislative chambers and did not lose any seats. Voters from the border counties, primarily Latino voters, turned out for President Trump in historic numbers with fourteen of the eighteen counties within twenty miles of the Texas-Mexico border voting for Trump. This includes Starr County, which is 97% Latino, voting for a Republican candidate for president for the first time since 1896.
In the Texas Senate, freshman Democratic State Senator Morgan LaMantia lost to Republican Adam Hinojosa in a close race in the Rio Grande Valley. Hinojosa will join two other new senators in 2025: Democrat Molly Cook and Republican Brent Hagenbuch. There will be 20 Republicans and 11 Democrats when the Texas Senate convenes in January.
Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives increased their majority by winning two open seats currently held by Democrats. There will be 32 new members in the Texas House. Overall, the House will be comprised of 88 Republicans and 62 Democrats.
The House Republican Caucus announced it will convene December 7th to endorse a candidate for Speaker of the House. They conducted a similar meeting in 2022, but not all Caucus members committed to casting their vote for the endorsed candidate. The Caucus will also conduct elections for leadership positions when they convene in December.
Pre-filing of legislation began Tuesday, November 12th with Texas legislators filing over 1,300 bills not including resolutions. Proposals related to property taxes, abortion, immigration, energy, and elections were filed among many other issues. Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick have both announced their priority legislation will be the passage of school choice legislation in 2025. Legislators can file bills through March 14, 2025.
Texas General Land Office Commissioner Dawn Buckingham has offered President-elect Donald Trump a 1,400 acre ranch in Starr County to build detention centers as part of his announced plan to deport undocumented immigrants. The State of Texas recently acquired the ranch on the U.S.-Mexico border with plans to use it as part of the state’s border wall construction project.
Longtime Texas Department of Public Safety Executive Director Steve McCraw officially retired after serving as the state’s top law enforcement official for the past 15 years. Senior Deputy Director Freeman Martin was named as his successor.
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As a plumber or HVAC contractor in Texas, joining PHCC Texas unlocks a wealth of benefits designed to help you thrive in today’s competitive market. Here’s how our membership can make a difference for you:
Best Practice Sharing: Tap into a vast network of professionals to exchange insights and strategies. Learn from the best in the industry and stay ahead of the curve with cutting-edge practices.
Advocacy: Benefit from our strong voice in legislative and regulatory matters. PHCC Texas advocates on your behalf to ensure that your interests are represented and protected.
Workforce Development: Invest in your team's future by sending apprentices to our comprehensive training programs. With options available online or in-person in San Antonio and Dallas, you’ll ensure your workforce is skilled and ready.
Expert & Affordable Training: Gain access to high-quality, cost-effective training designed to enhance your skills and knowledge. From technical courses to business management, our programs are tailored to meet your needs.
Savings & Discounts: Enjoy exclusive member discounts on tools, equipment, and services. Our partnerships with industry vendors translate into significant savings for your business.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with a community of like-minded professionals through our events and activities. Build relationships that could lead to new opportunities and collaborations.
Enhanced Visibility: Your business will be prominently featured in our annual Membership Directory, increasing your visibility and connecting you with potential clients and partners.
Joining PHCC Texas equips you with the resources, tools, and support you need to strengthen your business now and into the future. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of a powerful network dedicated to your success.
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Santa's Favorite Plumbers Holiday Party & Toy Drive December 19th, 2024
5:30 - 8:30PM
PHCC-TX Headquarters
145 Trademark Dr
Buda, TX 78610
Walk the Capitol Day February 26, 2025
8:30AM - 2:00PM
Texas Capitol
1100 Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
More info coming soon!
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Holiday Social December 5th, 2024
4:00 - 7:00PM
Federal American Grill
8731 Katy Fwy Suite 150
Houston, TX 77024
Adapt Tankless Training December 17th, 2024
11:00AM - 1:00PM
Pepco Sales & Marketing
13939 Fallbrook Dr.
Cypress, TX 77429
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Construct a Kid's Christmas December 6th, 2024
9:00AM - 2:00PM
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Service Nation, founded in 2002, has become a powerful network of contractors that helps businesses like yours improve profitability, streamline operations, and accelerate growth. Through Service Nation, you gain access to a range of benefits that are tailored to contractors in the home services industry:
Roundtable Rewards: Save money and increase profitability through rebates and discounts from over 200 contractor-vetted Preferred Partners. These savings cover everything from marketing and training to equipment and office supplies, effectively turning your membership into a profit center.
Training & Development: Access industry-specific training from nationally recognized experts. Service Nation offers workshops, webinars, and events to help you sharpen your skills and stay ahead of the competition.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with thousands of contractors across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The Idea Exchange and Mentor Groups allow you to share experiences, seek advice, and form lasting business relationships.
Exclusive Resources: Take advantage of free and discounted tools in the Service Nation Resource Center, including marketing materials, employee training resources, and business management guides.
Joining Service Nation is an investment that pays dividends in savings, education, and networking—helping you build a stronger, more profitable business for the future.
Click here to learn more about Service Nation.
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Many business owners are unaware of a new federal reporting requirement. The Corporate Transparency Act, effective January 1, 2024, requires companies to report information about individuals who own or control businesses to the U.S. Treasury Department's FINCEN.
Key Points:
- Companies created before January 1, 2024, must file the initial Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOI) by January 1, 2025.
- Companies registered in 2024 have 90 days from registration to file the initial BOI report.
- Reporting companies include domestic or foreign corporations, LLCs, DBAs registered with a Secretary of State's office, and similar entities.
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Finding the best employees – full-time, part-time, or contract labor – is tougher than ever. The newest PHCC Texas member benefit, stand-alone Teladoc Telemedicine, allows you to take advantage of a more healthy, present, and loyal workforce – the incredible PHCC-members-only pricing is only $10/month/family. To learn more, contact our benefit representative, Michael Lerman.
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“Best People and Best Practices” deserve the best technology. With over 300 Texas PHCC members, reliable technology should be available to streamline processes and simplify the nature of the business.
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Fueling solutions for business: streamline how you manage your company’s fuel expenses. The more your employees fuel at Exxon and Mobil, the more they maximize your rebates.
For questions and/or to start an application, call (443) 668-8425 or email Juan Munoz.
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Home and business owners go to great lengths to minimize damage and ensure their plumbing systems are safe, efficient, and sustainable. When exploring options for installations, repairs, or upgrades, maintain peace of mind by hiring licensed. While there's no guarantee that everything will go exactly as planned, hiring a licensed professional will provide increased assurance of protection.
Members of PHCC Texas are licensed by the State of Texas, and the public can be confident that they will be employing someone with the necessary skills and commitment to high standards.
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