Bill
HB 5221
Raises supervisor-to-apprentice ratio to 1:5 for plumbers, enabling larger apprentice crews per supervisor.
Status and context
- Bill: HB 5221 — amends section 1117a of 2016 PA 407 (Skilled Trades Regulation Act), as added by 2024 PA 172 (MCL 339.6117a).
- Introduced: filed March 14, 2025; additional electronic reproduction/intro activity November 5–6, 2025. Introduced by Rep. Joseph Aragona (bill text also lists Reps. Aragona, Kelly, and Woolford). Referred to committee (Human Services on 2025-04-07; later referred to Committee on Government Operations 2025-11-05). Status: bill electronically reproduced 11/05/2025.
Purpose
- To change the permitted ratio of supervising journey or master plumbers to apprentices on a jobsite and to establish enforcement and penalties for violations.
Key provisions
- Supervisor-to-apprentice ratio (amendment to sec. 1117a): changes the ratio from 1 supervising journey/master plumber per not more than 2 apprentices to 1 supervising journey/master plumber per not more than 5 apprentices.
- Enforcement basis: the department or an enforcing agency must enforce the ratio on a jobsite basis (i.e., apply the ratio at each worksite).
- Penalties for plumbing contractors (escalating administrative penalties):
- First violation: $5,000 administrative fine.
- Second violation: $10,000 administrative fine.
- Third violation: suspension of the plumbing contractor license for not less than 90 days. After suspension, license reinstatement is permitted only after the contractor passes the plumbing contractor examination described in section 1111.
- Distribution of fines: the department shall pay any administrative fines collected under this section to the enforcing agency that discovered the violation.
- Department recovery: if the department issues an order for a violation, the department is entitled to recover actual costs and attorney fees related to investigation and adjudication.
Who is affected
- Plumbing contractors (directly subject to ratio rules and penalties).
- Journey plumbers and master plumbers (as required supervisors).
- Plumbing apprentices (may be supervised in larger groups under this bill).
- State Department (responsible for enforcement, collection/distribution of fines, and recovery of costs).
- Enforcing agencies (local/state inspectors) — receive collected fines for violations they discover.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Operational: allows one supervisor to oversee up to five apprentices on a single jobsite, potentially increasing workforce capacity per supervisor.
- Training and safety: increased ratio may affect the level of direct supervision apprentices receive; stakeholders (contractors, unions, trade schools, safety regulators) may evaluate safety and training implications.
- Enforcement incentives: fines flow to the enforcing agency that detects violations, and the department can recover investigation and legal costs, which may encourage active enforcement.
- Financial exposure: plumbing contractors face substantial fines and possible license suspension for repeat violations; reinstatement requires passing the contractor exam.
Procedural next steps
- Pending committee consideration (Government Operations as of 11/05/2025). Further hearings, amendments, and votes would follow the standard legislative process.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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