March 24, 2026 BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES - Electricians

DATE: March 24, 2026
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: 100 South Charles Street, Tower 2
2nd floor, Hamilton Conference Room
Baltimore, MD 21201
Via Google Meet Video and Teleconference + 321-465-5183; PIN: 457 489 090#

MEMBERS PRESENT: Chet Brown, Chair, Industry Member
Donald Steinman, Industry Member
William "Eric" Smith, Industry Member
Amadou Magazi, Industry Member
Walter "Dave" Irvin, Vice Chair, Industry Member

MEMBERS ABSENT: Leaurdra Raye, Industry Member
Matthew Poch, Consumer Member

STAFF PRESENT: Sarah McDermott, Assistant Commissioner, Occupational and
Professional Licensing
Charles Marquette, Executive Director
Sloane Fried Kinstler, Assistant Attorney General
Leslie Lantz, Administrative Officer I

OTHERS PRESENT: Alex Artis, Member of the Public
Angel Marie Savoy, Member of the Public
Brian Brooks, Member of the Public

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 10:06 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mr. Irwin stated a correction was necessary for the Closed Meeting Minutes for February 24, 2026. The Minutes should state that Mr. Walter “Dave” Irvin was not present.

A motion to approve the February 24, 2026 Business Meeting minutes with corrections was made by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Irvin, and unanimously approved by the Board.

COMPLAINT COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Smith reported the findings of the Complaint Committee as follows:

Upon a motion by Mr. Irvin, and a second by Mr. Steinman, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Complaint Committee report for March 2026.

APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Brown reported that, for the month of March, there was one application that was reviewed and denied. Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, and a second by Mr. Irvin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Application Review Committee report for March 2026.

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVIDER COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Steinman stated that there was nothing new to report.
EXAM CHALLENGES COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Steinman stated that there was nothing new to report.
VOICE/DATA/VIDEO COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Brown stated there was nothing new to report.
REVIEW OF EXAMINATION STATISTICS AND LICENSE TOTALS
For the month of February 2026, PSI exams submitted the following statistical summary:

Ms. Lantz reported that since the inception of the exam, 9,272 candidates were tested, 2,628, passed, 6,644 failed, for a pass rate of 28%.

NEC 2026 COMMITTEE
Mr. Marquette stated he is awaiting information from the Maryland Uniform Electrical Licensing Examination Committee, Inc. (“MUELEC’), including potential exam questions.
Mr. Steinman requested that the January 2023 meeting minutes be provided to the Committee. He noted that those minutes include a detailed discussion outlining how the Board previously transitioned between code cycles and testing requirements.
Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Magazi, the Board voted unanimously to approve the NEC 2026 Committee Report.
CORRESPONDENCE
The Board discussed a follow-up email inquiry from Mr. Alex Artis regarding the possibility of analyzing PSI exam results to better understand pass/fail rates across different population segments and identify ways to support applicants in exam preparation. The request was submitted in writing and will be added to the Board’s correspondence to ensure proper tracking.
Staff noted for Mr. Artis, who was in attendance, that the Board currently collects limited demographic data (primarily contact information) and does not maintain racial, ethnic, or other data sufficient to perform the requested analysis. As a result, any additional information would need to be requested directly from PSI.
Concerns were raised regarding the collection and use of demographic data (such as race and gender), including potential legal and bias implications. It was recommended that leadership be consulted before pursuing such data.
Mr. Marquette will explore whether this information can be obtained through PSI. If not permitted, Mr. Artis may be advised to request the data directly from PSI. Mr. Artis thanked the Board for their efforts and indicated he will follow up with the Board in one month.
OLD BUSINESS

There was no old business to discuss.

NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Brown inquired about a regulatory concept to address Md. Ann. Code, Bus. Occ. & Prof. § 6-606(B), a requirement for a master electrician’s license number to be displayed on commercial displaying the company name on vehicles. The issue was raised by the Complaint Committee, with concerns about potential risks of fraudulent use of license information in current practice. The Board discussed exploring options to update or amend the statute to mitigate these risks while maintaining the intent of the requirement. No formal proposal was presented at this time.
It was agreed that the matter will be carried forward for further review. Counsel will research whether changes can be implemented through regulation or if legislative action is required and will report back to the Board at the next meeting.
Counsel introduced a new business item regarding an upcoming exceptions hearing scheduled for the next Board meeting. Counsel explained the process following a hearing before the Office of Administrative Hearings (“OAH”), including the Board’s prior issuance of a proposed order adopting or modifying the Administrative Law Judge’s (“ALJ”) findings and recommended sanctions. When a respondent timely requests an exceptions hearing, to which they are entitled, the hearing is conducted before the full Board on the record of the proceeding below.
Counsel explained that, during an exceptions hearing, the Board may review the existing record from the OAH hearing; no new evidence or testimony will be presented unless specifically requested and cause is shown in the opinion of the Board. She continued that a respondent may argue that an ALJ’s findings were misinterpreted or that the sanctions imposed are excessive. Following the hearing, the Board will issue a final decision and order.
Counsel emphasized that a quorum is required for the hearing to proceed and stated that it is imperative that members notify staff of any anticipated absences at the Board meeting scheduled for April 28, 2026.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Director Marquette did not offer a report.

COUNSEL’S REPORT

Counsel stated she has nothing further to present.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Chairman Brown did not offer a report.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Two members of the public, Ms. Savoy and Mr. Brooks, were present at the meeting. Both were invited to provide comments; however, neither elected to speak.

CLOSED SESSION

There was no closed session meeting.

ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Smith moved to adjourn the meeting; Mr. Irvin seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved by the Board at 10:27 am.

_________________________________ ______________
Charles Marquette, Executive Director Date
Mechanical Boards

As voted and approved by the Board on: _________