As we approach the end of the year, the season of giving is upon us, and it’s a perfect time to reflect on the impact we can have on the future of our industry. At PHCC-TX, we are proud to support our members not only through exceptional education, advocacy, and networking, but also through the charitable work of the PHCC-TX Foundation.
The PHCC-TX Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to fostering ongoing education for members and their families in the plumbing, heating, and cooling trades. Each year, we award scholarships to students pursuing higher education, empowering the next generation of leaders in our industry. Thanks to the generosity of our members, this past year we were able to award scholarships to six exceptional students from across Texas, including those attending Southwestern University and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. These scholarships are awarded based on academic ability, community involvement, and school participation—values that reflect our commitment to excellence in all aspects of the trades.
Since its inception, the PHCC-TX Foundation has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships, supporting education across our communities. A key figure in this success is Rick Shelton, whose dedication to education and the PHCC mission has left a lasting impact. In 2023, the scholarship fund was renamed in honor of Rick Shelton, recognizing his years of service on the Education Committee and his instrumental role in establishing and managing the scholarship program. His unwavering commitment to ensuring educational opportunities for our members and their families has shaped the future of countless students in our industry.
Your support is crucial in continuing this legacy. Through donations to the Foundation, participation in our annual golf tournament, and other fundraising events, you can make a difference. All contributions are tax-deductible and go directly to the scholarship fund, helping students pursue their dreams.
This holiday season, consider making a gift to the PHCC-TX Foundation and help us continue to build a brighter future for our members and their families. Together, we can ensure that education remains at the heart of our industry.
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On December 11, 2024, the Board of the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners passed an amendment allowing for remote virtual supervision of apprentices. The definition of direct supervision was expanded to include remote, virtual audio-visual, real-time communication for the repair and replacement of existing fixtures, not involving gas appliances, on one-to-two-family dwellings performed only by licensees and registrants with 4,000 hours of experience who hold Residential Utility Installer and Drain Cleaner registrations.
PHCC is opposed to this amendment and spoke against it for the last year that it has been under consideration by the Board of TSBPE.
It is important to remember that this is not a requirement and is something that each contractor should consider carefully before implementing.
First, the apprentice, while on the customer site, is working under the Master Plumber’s license, and any issues that arise will be a problem for the company and the Master Plumber, not the apprentice doing the work. Having a Master Plumber on site working with the apprentice ensures there are no issues and allows the apprentice to learn on the job.
It is also possible that issues resulting in poor work at a home and resulting in insurance claims will also lead to an increase in insurance costs, not just for that company but across all companies.
We value the reputation of licensed plumbers and want to make sure that homeowners continue to have the comfort of knowing their work is being done by qualified, licensed plumbers. Please consider that when deciding who to send to a job site. PHCC and TSBPE have long promoted the importance of hiring qualified professionals to perform plumbing work, and we all understand and respect the work that goes into obtaining a plumbing license. We want to continue to present that same level of craftsmanship and therefore strongly encourage everyone to assign work to the appropriately licensed plumbing professionals in your shops.
As well, at 4,000 hours, an apprentice can test to become a Tradesman, and we strongly encourage pushing our new plumbers to obtain their licenses and continue to level up as they work through their careers. Plumbers protect the health of our nation, and there is value in the license and the work you do. While the Board of TSBPE can allow this amendment to pass, we, as an industry, can say NO!
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In today's business environment, effective risk management can help take your team to the next level of success and safety. Consider the following to lead by example and empower your team:
Leadership Responsibilities
Risk management leadership starts at the top. As a leader, you can begin by hosting regular training sessions on safety subjects that apply to your industry. Effective leadership can involve investing time and resources in:
- Developing sound policies and procedures - Setting clear expectations - Rewarding positive behaviors - Maintaining open channels for communication - Staying informed about current safety regulations and industry best practices
In addition, providing training, education, tools, and incentives can encourage employees to take ownership of risk management practices.
Lead from the Top Down
Setting the tone from the top is critical for fostering a risk-aware culture. Executives should model behavior they wish to see, such as adherence to policies, participation in training, open communication, and prioritizing safety.
Proactive Planning
It can help to adopt a proactive approach to risk management by anticipating potential hazards and implementing preventative measures. This can involve:
- Conducting regular risk assessments
- Reviewing and updating safety policies on an annual basis
- Providing necessary tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Encouraging breaks
Everyone is a Risk Manager
Every employee, from executives to new hires, plays a pivotal role at your business. Encourage all team members to consider themselves risk managers to help keep your business safe.
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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 January:
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 currently divide employee days off into two banks: a vacation bank and a sick bank. We have a number of employees complaining that they do not have enough vacation days left at the end of the year to take time off around the holidays. They are asking if they can use their sick days to take time off (even though they’re not actually sick). We want to support our employees and are thinking about changing our employee time off to one big paid-time-off (PTO) bank that employees can use for any reason instead of two separate banks. What are the advantages of creating one big PTO bank?
Answer
There are several benefits of using a PTO plan versus traditional vacation and sick allotments. The company may appear more attractive to potential and current employees because they are allotted more days to takeoff. Since employees may not use all their sick days, they may view the lump-sum days as more vacation time. These plans also allow employees to feel that they are treated as adults and can make their own decisions about vacation and personal time without having to explain to their employers. In addition, the administration of these plans is generally not as complex and does not require as much guidance.
If a company is considering implementing a PTO plan, it should make sure this benefit option fits with its environment and culture. It is also best to establish clear directives for employees, such as procedures for requesting time off, before implementing the plan. Employers should work with local counsel to ensure their policies comply with all applicable laws, such as state paid sick leave laws.
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The House Republican Caucus convened December 7th intending to endorse a single candidate for Speaker of the House they would all support in unity on January 14th. Representative David Cook emerged as the Republican alternative to current Speaker Dade Phelan who was steadfast in seeking his third term as Speaker of the House. However, Speaker Phelan abruptly withdrew his candidacy a few days prior to the caucus meeting and Representative Dustin Burrows surfaced as a new candidate in his place. Ultimately, the House Republican Caucus endorsed Representative Cook without total caucus consensus and both Cook and Burrows continue to maintain they have each secured the votes to be elected Speaker when the House convenes in January. At this time, Cook’s candidacy appears to rely completely on Republican support while Burrows will require support from Democrats. The House leadership remains unresolved at this point heading toward the January vote.
Lawmakers continue to pre-file legislation with more than 2,000 bills having already been filed. The filing period runs through March 14th. The 89th Texas Legislature is on pace to break the record for the total number of bills filed in a regular session. Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick have both announced their priority legislation will be the passage of school choice legislation in 2025.
State Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced at a recent meeting of the Austin Chamber that lawmakers will have a budget surplus of approximately $20 billion heading into the 89th legislative session. He also told attendees that Texas would be the world’s eighth largest economy if it were its own nation. Hegar will officially unveil his numbers when he releases the biennial revenue estimate ahead of the legislative session.
State Representative Ramon Romero from Fort Worth has been elected as chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus. Representative Romero was first elected to the legislature in 2014 and was the first Hispanic from Tarrant County to serve in the Texas House. The House Democratic Caucus elected Gene Wu from Houston to lead its membership. Representative Wu succeeds Trey Martinez Fischer as the caucus chair.
The Texas Supreme Court overturned a trial court ruling that would have required Attorney General Ken Paxton and three of his top deputies to sit for a deposition in the Whistleblower lawsuit filed against him by several former employees. The Court held that since the attorney general’s office has agreed not to contest the lawsuit, the sworn testimony of General Paxton and his deputies is not necessary. Four former employees sued General Paxton under the Whistleblower Act alleging he improperly fired them after they reported the attorney general to the FBI.
Saturday, December 14th marked the end of the campaign contribution period in Texas. Lawmakers and statewide elected officials are prohibited by law from accepting campaign contributions 30 days prior to the regular session commencing and 30 days following the final day of the regular session.
The list of Texans announced by President Trump’s team as nominees for positions in the Trump Administration include John Ratcliffe (C.I.A.), Scott Turner (Housing), and Brooke Rollins (Agriculture). Tulsi Gabbard (D.N.I.) and Elon Musk (Government Efficiency) also reside in Texas
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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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Walk the Capitol Day February 26, 2025
9 AM - 2 PM Texas Capitol 1100 Congress Ave Austin, TX 78701 Learn more here!
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Casino Night January 24th, 2025
6:30PM - 11 PM
Cadillac Bar
1802 Shepherd Dr.
Houston, TX 77007
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January Monthly Member Meeting January 9th, 2025
11 AM - 1 PM
Maggiano's Little Italy
17603 W. I-10
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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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