July 2026 BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES - Electricians

DATE: July 28, 2026
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: 100 South Charles Suite 3300
Baltimore, MD 21201
Via Google Meet Video and Teleconference + 321-465-5183; PIN: 457 489 090#

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chet Brown, Chair, Industry Member
Amadou Magazi, Industry Member (Joined at 10:07 am)
Matthew Poch, Consumer Member
Andre Mellerson, Industry Member
Walter "Dave" Irvin, Vice Chair, Industry Member
Lisa Carlis, Consumer Member
Angel Maria Savoy, Member of the Public

MEMBERS ABSENT: William "Eric" Smith, Industry Member

STAFF PRESENT: Charles Marquette, Executive Director
Sloane Fried Kinstler, Assistant Attorney General
John Dove, Commissioner, Occupational and Professional Licensing
Regina Cherry, Administrative Officer I
Jacob Guy, Administrative Officer
Leslie Lantz, Administrative Officer I

OTHERS PRESENT: Kelsey Harle, Member of the Public

Call to Order:

After a roll call to establish a quorum, Chairman Brown called the Business Meeting of the Maryland State Board of Electricians to Order at 10:04 a.m.

Approval Of Minutes

A motion to approve the June 23, 2026 Business Meeting minutes as amended to correct the spelling of Board member Angel Maria Savoy’s name, was made by Mr. Poch, seconded by Mr. Irvin, and the Board Members present voted unanimously to approve the Motion.

Complaint Committee Report

In the absence of Mr. Smith, Chairman Brown reported the findings of the Complaint Committee as follows:

Upon a motion by Mr. Irvin, and a second by Mr. Poch, the Board Members present voted unanimously to approve the Complaint Committee report for July 2026.

Application Review Committee Report

Chairman Brown reported that, for the month of July, there was one pending application reviewed and it remains pending. Upon a motion by Mr. Irvin and a second by Mr. Magazzi, the Board Members present voted unanimously to approve the Application Review Committee report for July 2026.

Continuing Education Provider Committee Report

Ms. Carlis reported that the Continuing Education Committee recently met with Board staff to discuss ongoing continuing education (“CE”) matters and potential revisions to the CE Education Provider application process. Staff will continue working with the Committee regarding proposed application updates. No CE provider applications were presented for Board approval.

Exam Challenges Committee Report

Mr. Irvin and Mr. Mellerson reported that no examination challenges were received during the reporting period.

Voice/Data/Video Committee Report

Chairman Brown reported that there were no updates regarding the Voice/Data/Video Committee.

Review of Examination Statistics and License Totals

For the month of May 2026, PSI exams submitted the following statistical summary:

Ms. Lantz reported that since the inception of the exam, 9,659 examinations administered, with 2,730 candidates passing, 6,929 candidates failing, for an overall pass rate of 28%

NEC 2026 Committee

Mr. Marquette reported that the Maryland Uniform Electrical Licensing Examination Committee ("MUELEC") continues developing the proposed examination questions for the 2026 National Electrical Code examination. Staff has been advised that the proposed questions are anticipated to be completed by the end of August 2026. Mr. Marquette further reported that staff contacted PSI regarding the availability of updated 2026 examination materials should they become necessary. Staff will continue to monitor the matter and provide updates as information becomes available.

Correspondence

Ms. Lantz presented correspondence received from an applicant whose request for reciprocal licensure was denied because the applicant's out-of-state license was not obtained through examination, because he became licensed by an exam waiver after completing an apprenticeship program approved by the District of Columbia. The applicant requested that his comments regarding Maryland's reciprocity requirements be shared with the Board. Board discussion followed regarding Maryland's reciprocity agreements, approved apprenticeship programs, and the statutory requirements governing reciprocal licensure. It was noted that Maryland recognizes apprenticeship programs approved by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council and that reciprocity agreements require applicants to have obtained licensure through an examination administered by the regulatory body unless otherwise provided by law. The Board took the letter under advisement.

Old Business

COMAR 09.09.03.04 Enforcement of the 2026 National Electrical Code

Director Marquette reported that the proposed regulation has been submitted for publication in the August 7, 2026 Maryland Register. If published on that date, the public comment period would begin immediately and expire on September 6, 2026, after which the Board may consider final adoption at its September meeting, pending approval of the Secretary.

COMAR 09.09.03.03 Master Electrician License Eligibility

Director Marquette reported that the proposed regulation requiring applicants to hold a journeyperson electrician license before qualifying for a master electrician examination remains under review by the Secretary's Office. Staff has continued to solicit feedback from industry stakeholders and anticipate providing an update at the next Board meeting. No Board action was required.

COMAR 09.09.03.04 Provision of Electrical Services

Staff reported that development of the proposed regulatory language regarding the provision of electrical services remains ongoing. Staff continues to refine the proposed concept before submitting draft language to the Secretary's Office for review. No Board action was required.

New Business

DLI Building Code Regulations

Mr. Marquette advised the Board that DLI’s proposed adoption of building codes including the 2023 NEC continues. He advised that with the public comment period on the proposal having closed, the Board awaits DLI’s final action.

Qualified Agent

The Board continued its discussion regarding a proposed definition of the term "qualified agent" and reviewed draft language prepared for future regulatory consideration. Members discussed the distinction between a qualified agent and an independent master electrician, the assignment of a master electrician license to a single company, insurance requirements, and the practical application of the designation within the electrical industry.

The discussion also addressed whether a qualified agent should be permitted to independently perform electrical work outside of the company to which the license is assigned, and whether additional regulatory language is necessary to clarify the Board's intent and prevent the improper assignment of licenses. Board Counsel advised that any proposed regulation must remain consistent with the authority granted under Title 6 of the Business Occupations and Professions Article and cautioned that any language exceeding the Board’s statutory authority would require proposed legislative action.

Staff requested that Board members continue reviewing the proposed language and submit any additional comments for consideration before revised draft language is prepared for a future meeting.

Executive Director’s Report

Mr. Marquette reported that the Division of Labor and Industry (“DLI”) recently concluded the public comment period regarding adoption of the 2023 construction codes, including the 2023 NEC. Staff will continue monitoring the regulatory process and provide updates as they become available.

Counsel’s Report

Board Counsel advised the Board that a Closed Session was necessary to review a Recommend Decision in an administrative case. Counsel also explained the Board’s authority when reviewing a Recommended Decision from the Office of Administrative Hearings, including its ability to adopt, modify, or reject any or all of the findings, conclusions, and recommended sanctions.

Chair’s Report

Chairman Brown did not offer a report.

Public Comment

None.

Closed Session

Upon a motion by Ms. Carlis, seconded by Mr. Mellerson, the Board unanimously voted to enter into a closed session at approximately 10:59 a.m., via Google Meets pursuant to § 3-305(b)(2), (7), and (8) of the General Provisions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to protect the privacy and reputation of an applicant or licensee and to obtain advice of Counsel regarding pending litigation.

Case No.: ELEC-25-0012

Counsel presented an Administrative Law Judge's (“ALJ”) Recommended Decision issued by the Office of Administrative Hearings in Case No. ELEC-25-0012 in which the Respondent violated Business Occupations and Professions Article § 6-316(a)(1)(xv) and (xvi) by abandoning an electrical project without justification and providing inadequate and incomplete electrical services, and (a)(1)(xx) and COMAR 09.09.03.01 by failing to respond to a written communication from the Board. Based upon the Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law the ALJ recommended a 90-day suspension of the Respondent's master electrician license and a civil monetary penalty of $1,500 for the violations of (a)(1)(xv) and (xvi), respectively, and $500 for the violation of (a)(1)(xx) and CCOMAR 09.09.03.01 for a total sanction of $3,500.00.

After discussion, Ms. Savoy moved to adopt the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Recommended Decision of the Administrative Law Judge. The motion was seconded by Mr. Mellerson and unanimously approved by the Board.

Upon reconvening the Business Meeting, a motion to accept the actions taken during the Closed Session was made by Mr. Irvin, seconded by Ms. Savoy, and unanimously approved by the Board at 11:18 a.m.

Adjournment

Ms. Savoy moved to adjourn the business meeting; Ms. Carlis seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by the Board at 11:20 a.m.