PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Terence O'Brien, Executive Vice President of the Association of Contracting Plumbers, on Intro 429
1:46:59
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3 min
Terence O'Brien, representing the Association of Contracting Plumbers, expressed strong support for Intro 429, emphasizing its positive impact on the construction industry. He focused on two main points: the reestablishment of the licensing board and the expansion of seizure capabilities for unlicensed work.
- O'Brien criticized the Department of Buildings' opposition to the bill, particularly regarding the licensing board's oversight role.
- He argued for the importance of industry involvement in reviewing license matters and addressing unlicensed work.
- O'Brien supported the expansion of seizure capabilities for tools and vehicles used in unlicensed work, citing its necessity in the current environment.
Terence O’Brien
1:46:59
Rochelle, all day.
1:47:01
Good morning.
1:47:02
Still technically, chairman carolman Sanchez, councilman Dinowicz.
1:47:07
My name is Terry O'Brien.
1:47:08
I'm the executive vice president of the association contracting plumbers, City of New York.
1:47:12
We are the oldest established group of our of our type.
1:47:17
Perhaps it's 1881.
1:47:19
The ACP is a an affiliated contract organization employing thousands of plumbers local 1 members, installing new plumbing systems as well as servicing all types of buildings throughout the Five boroughs, residential, commercial, institutional work work.
1:47:32
The ACP is whole Harley in support of intro 429.
1:47:36
429 is a wide ranging bill with positive impact in the construction industry as a whole.
1:47:43
As as I said before, a as a whole, union and non union alike will benefit in strengthen public's transparency.
1:47:52
I have written testimony.
1:47:53
I will submit for the record as well in conjunction with the plumbing foundation as well as stakeholders.
1:47:58
Here we're working on for quite a period of time.
1:48:00
I'm taken back a little bit by the the department's stance on almost everything that they alluded to on 4 29.
1:48:07
But due to time constraints, I'm gonna limit my discussion on 2 primary functions.
1:48:12
The reestablishment of the licensing board, the the sensing board.
1:48:16
The OBEAK glossed over what was previously done with 2 components.
1:48:20
The review of new applicants, which they are saying there are limitations of public involvement, which is, I think, as to 9 to a degree because with this day and age, we have learned during COVID.
1:48:31
We had those meetings going on still.
1:48:34
Didn't slow the process up.
1:48:35
They just don't like oversight and much like many city agencies.
1:48:39
They don't like oversight.
1:48:40
But the more daunting thing is the city licensing board would review it this way matters of current holders.
1:48:46
And the deal would be remiss not to say that most tips that come on license work and our license work by license holders, and people who don't have, like, power qualifications come from industry as a whole.
1:49:03
So they come from people on this panel right here.
1:49:06
So having our involvement only kind of reassures that 3rd parties are involved.
1:49:13
So they want our advisement to get there, but not display matters or licensing review.
1:49:19
Other professions have peer review, as they said, they're kind of pushing out the electricians.
1:49:24
The electricians have a board.
1:49:25
They're doing away with that as well because it's in their power.
1:49:28
The the power that is here today is reestablishing at 4 more view by the public.
1:49:36
Regarding the seasonability.
1:49:38
I think DLB said that conceptually, they're in favor of considering over years of discussion on it.
1:49:44
They've been actually asking for this, but they wanted doing through the co revision process.
1:49:48
Which takes a long period of time.
1:49:50
I think in this day and age, because of the prevalence of unlicensed work, the ability to do seizure of tools and vehicles, because most of it, as a debit commissioner mentioned was is limited to new construction.
1:50:06
I think having that expansion for all types of work is necessary.
1:50:11
And I run out of time, but my written statements kind of Summarize everything we said here, and we can gladly answer any questions you may have.
