First Public Hearing for House Bill #1711
ED & A Committee Hearing: February 9, 2006
Over 80 people attended the hearing. 23 spoke in favor of licensing, 2 against. Gov. John Lynch, District Attorney Kelly Ayottte, State Fire Marshall Bill Degnan, The NH Fire Chiefs Assoc. and the NH Plumbers Board all support the bill.
Sr. Asst. Attn. Gen. Richard Head, told the committee that when fuel gas is contained, it is very safe. However, when not properly contained and vented it is extremely dangerous. Lawmakers need to “support the people responsible for the health and safety of the public.” Licensure “is essential to protect our citizens.” He noted that the voluntary program doesn’t protect the consumer, because the “consumer is not always directly engaged.” He responded to opponents who want to wait and see if the voluntary program will work. Head, poignantly noted, “if it doesn’t work,… it will be because of another explosion where someone else is killed.”
Ted Evans, Vice Chairman of the Plumbers Board said, “voluntary certification doesn’t work.” Discussing past efforts to license gas fuel fitters, he noted that he previously asked ED & A, “How many people have to die before we license in this state?”
State Fire Marshall, Bill Degnan, acknowledged that every incident is not preventable, but better training would provide better chances to reduce the probablility. He urged the subcommittee to incorporate much of the voluntary program into HB1711.
Moultonborough Police Chief Scott Kinnear, who spoke for himself and Moultonborough Fire Chief, David Bengtson, told the committee that the “licensing process would be a deterrent,” because people “...would know there is a criminal liablility.” The penalties would apply to those who break the law by hiring untrained and unlicensed individuals.
Rep. Sheila Francouer, a bill sponsor told the committee, “While people always make mistakes, there is no excuse for what happened to the Luhrmann family”.
Roy Pender, a state plumbing inspector estimates that three quarters of the 4000 licensed plumbers want to become licensed gas fitters as well.
Representatives from the hearth industry, who are in favor of training and licensing, were among those listed as opposed. They made the committee aware, that the bill needs to be amended to include all affected trades, and the process should be regulated from delivery through venting.
Only a few people spoke directly against licensure, in favor of the current voluntary program, noting that the heating companies have already spent a great deal of money training their gas fitters, that licensure would drive up costs to taxpayers and that HB1711 would have severe penalties.
“The issue is not the major companies that certify their employees, but the independent contractors and handymen, “ said Hudson Fire Chief, Shawn Murray, who was representing the N.H. Fire Chief Association.
In response to cost, Amilia's father, Craig Luhrmann noted “There are always costs to educate and train. This is highly explosive fuel. Most people we talk to are surprised to find that training and licesning is not required. I don’t think most people would mind paying a little more to be ensured of their safety.”
Sponsors of the bill will work to prepare the needed amendments before the subcommittees meeting on Feb. 16.
Read the comments from the Luhrmann Family