STATE BOARD OF ELECTRICIANS BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES November 26, 2024

DATE:

November 26, 2024

TIME:

10:00 a.m.

PLACE:

1100 N. Eutaw Street
5th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201

Via Google Meet Video and Teleconference + 321-465-5183; PIN: 457 489 090#

MEMBERS PRESENT:

• Chet Brown, Chair, Industry Member
• Francis Harrison, Vice Chairman, Consumer Member
• Greg Kaderabek, Industry Member
• Steven Petri Sr., Industry Member
• Walter “David” Irvin, Industry Member
• Donald Steinman, Industry Member

MEMBERS ABSENT:

• John Peterson, Consumer Member
• William “Eric” Smith, Industry Member

STAFF PRESENT:

• John Dove, Commissioner, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
• Sarah McDermott, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
• Todd Blackistone, Interim Executive Director, Mechanical Boards
• Matt Mckinney, Director of Government Affairs
• Sloane Fried Kinstler, Assistant Attorney General
• LaKissha Thornton, Administrative Officer I II
• Tashera Savage, Administrative Officer I

OTHERS PRESENT:

• None

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 10:01 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion to approve the October 22, 2024, meeting minutes was made by Mr. Karderabek, seconded by Mr. Petri and, by a roll call vote, unanimously approved and reviewed by the Board.

COMPLAINT COMMITTEE REPORT

The November 2024 Complaint Committee meeting was cancelled. No report was offered.

APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

No applications were reviewed.

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVIDER COMMITTEE REPORT

There was no Continuing Education report provided, as no applications were submitted.

EXAM CHALLENGES COMMITTEE REPORT

No exam challenges were submitted. There was no report.

REVIEW OF EXAMINATION STATISTICS AND LICENSE TOTALS

PSI exams submitted the following statistical summaries for the month of October 2024:

Since January 2024, 579 candidates have taken the exam. 155 have passed the exam and 424 have failed with a pass rate of 27%. Since the inception of the test 8107 candidates have tested, 2325 have passed, and 5782 failed for a pass rate of 29%. There are currently 23,206 active licensees.

CORRESPONDENCE

There was no correspondence to be considered.

OLD BUSINESS

Discussion on Voice/Data/Video Services:

Chairman Brown reported that the comments and recommendations on the voice data video information had been recently submitted to Counsel. Counsel Kinstler stated that she would review the material and return her recommendations to the Board at the next Board meeting.

Waste Water Proposal:

Chairman Brown questioned whether there was an update on Mr. Harrison's wastewater proposal. Interim Director Blackistone and Ms. Thornton confirmed that they had not received any new information from the Office of the Secretary. Commissioner Dove stated that he would investigate the matter further.

Electrical Code Adoption Update:

Mr. Petri requested an update on the adoption of the 2021 NEC. Counsel Kinstler reminded the Board that it had a duty to adopt the latest version of the NEC within 18 months of its adoption. Counsel reminded the Board that she had provided members with proposed language for a regulation in this regard. Counsel also suggested that that Interim Director Blackistone obtain the current Code book(s) as well as the updated edition(s) to be adopted for the Committee members and Counsel.

Continuing Education:

Mr. Steinman raised concerns regarding continuing education providers and the credentials required to become a provider, as well as the requirements for continuing education for licensees. Counsel Kinstler assured Mr. Steinman that all relevant information could be found on the website and that she would also send over any statutes and additional information regarding continuing education.

NEW BUSINESS

Chairman Brown referenced a prior presentation given by Mr. Gil Thompson, from MUELEC, at the October meeting. He requested that any documents sent by Mr. Thompson be forwarded to the Board Members for review.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The Executive Director did not offer report.

COUNSEL’S REPORT

Counsel did not offer a report.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Chairman Brown did not offer a report.

CLOSED SESSION

A motion to enter into closed session was made by Mr. Steinman, seconded by Mr. Harris, and unanimously approved by the Board. The Board entered into closed session at 10:31 a.m.

Counsel Kinstler advised that the Board would convene in a closed session to review two applications in which the applicant had reported a prior criminal history, pursuant to Business Occupations and Professions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland in compliance with § 3-305(b)(2), (7), and (11) of the General Provisions Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to protect the privacy and reputation of license applicants and to receive advice of Counsel regarding the Commission's authority pertaining to such applications.

Application .01

Counsel Kinstler presented an application for an apprentice electrician license in which the applicant reported that, in 2023, the applicant was convicted of providing services as home improvement contractor without a license, a misdemeanor for which they were sentenced to supervised probation. The applicant provided true test copies of court records and a personal statement regarding the conviction. Counsel read the statement for the Board.

After a discussion by the Board, a motion to approve the application for an apprentice electrician license was made by Mr. Steinman and seconded by Mr. Petri and unanimously approved by the Board.

Application .02

Counsel Kinstler presented an application for an apprentice electrician license by an individual who reported a prior criminal history. In 2015, the applicant was convicted of trespass on private property and, in 2013 and 2016, theft of less than $1,000, all misdemeanors, for which the applicant was sentenced to incarceration for 18 months, followed by supervised probation. The applicant provided true test copies of court records and a personal statement regarding the conviction. Counsel read the statement for the Board.

After a discussion, a motion to approve the application for an apprentice electrician license was made by Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Steinman, and unanimously approved by the Board.

A motion to return to the open session of the meeting was made by Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Petri, and unanimously approved by the Board at 10:46 a.m.

A motion to approve the findings of the closed session was made by Mr. Irvin, seconded by Mr. Harris and unanimously approved by the Board. The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 a.m.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion to adjourn the business meeting was made by Mr. Kaderabek, seconded by Mr. Harris and unanimously carried by the Board. The meeting was adjourned at 10:48 a.m.

_________________________________ ______________
Charles Marquette, Executive Director Date
Mechanical Boards

As voted and approved by the Board on: _________