HB 827 Louisiana House · 2026 Regular Session

PLUMBERS: Creates the Plumbing Workforce Access Act (RE SEE FISC NOTE SG EX See Note)

HB 827 creates the Louisiana Plumbing Workforce Access Act, establishing a new pathway for obtaining plumbing licensure through community colleges and vocational schools instead of requiring employer sponsorship. It directly affects aspiring plumbers, particularly those from low-income communities, rural areas, and returning citizens (formerly incarcerated individuals), by providing structured classroom training, competency assessments, and supervised work experience (industry rotation) at participating employers. Key provisions include mandatory curriculum standards covering plumbing codes and safety, independent competency checkpoints to verify skills, and a requirement for students to complete 2,000 hours of hands-on work across multiple employers. The bill maintains existing exam standards and licensing requirements while expanding access to the profession to address a statewide shortage of licensed plumbers.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 27, 2026 Last action Apr 14, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB827 Reengrossed → HB827 Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 9, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from 'Reengrossed' to 'Engrossed' and shifted from amending existing plumbing laws to enacting a new 'Louisiana Plumbing Workforce Access Act' (R.S. 37:1381-1391). This new law establishes an institution-based pathway to plumbing licensure, allowing students at community colleges and vocational schools to earn their journeyman license without needing an employer-sponsored apprenticeship. The changes aim to address a critical shortage of plumbers by expanding access to training while maintaining rigorous licensing standards.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from amending and repealing existing chapters to enacting a completely new Part II of Chapter 16, creating a specific 'Institutional Plumbing Pathway' alongside traditional apprenticeship models.

SCOPE

Enacted a new Part II of Chapter 16 (R.S. 37:1381-1391) creating the Louisiana Plumbing Workforce Access Act, replacing the previous focus on amending scattered sections.

ELIGIBILITY

Created a new 'Institutional Plumbing Pathway' that allows students at approved community colleges and vocational schools to qualify for the journeyman plumber examination without an employer-sponsored apprenticeship.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'Approved institution', 'Industry rotation', 'Institutional Plumbing Pathway student', and 'Returning citizen' to support the new training pathway.

REQUIREMENT

Established a three-component pathway consisting of classroom instruction, competency checkpoints, and industry rotation at a participating licensed contractor's worksite.

ENFORCEMENT

Changed the regulatory framework from the State Plumbing Board to the State Licensing Board for Contractors, transferring oversight responsibilities.

Floor votes · House Apr 9, 2026

How they voted

83–6

Passed · 16 other

Total votes 105

Apr 9, 2026

D Democratic33

30 Yea 3

90% Yea

R Republican72

53 Yea 6 Nay 13

73% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 83, nays 7. Finally passed, title adopted, ordered to the Senate.

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported with amendments (12-0).

lower

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Commerce.

lower

Feb 27, 2026

Committee

Under the rules, provisionally referred to the Committee on Commerce.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors