STATE BOARD OF ELECTRICIANS BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES May 26, 2026

DATE:

May 26, 2026

TIME:

10:00 a.m.

PLACE:

100 South Charles Street, Tower 1
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 (Joined at 10:08 am)
• William "Eric" Smith, Industry Member
• Amadou Magazi, Industry Member
• Walter "Dave" Irvin, Vice Chair, Industry Member
• Matthew Poch, Consumer Member
• Lisa Carlis, Consumer Member

MEMBERS ABSENT:

• Andre Mellerson, Industry Member

STAFF PRESENT:

• Charles Marquette, Executive Director
• Sloane Fried Kinstler, Assistant Attorney General
• Aajah Harris, Director of Government Affairs (joined at 10:19 am)
• Leslie Lantz, Administrative Officer I

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 10:07 a.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion to approve the April 28, 2026 Business Meeting minutes was made by Mr. Irvin, seconded by Ms. Carlis, and the Board Members present voted unanimously to approve the Motion. Mr. Steinman was not yet present and did not vote on the motion.

COMPLAINT COMMITTEE REPORT

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

It was also reported that a $5000.00 civil penalty imposed in Case 25-0033 was paid and received.

Upon a motion by Mr. Poch, and a second by Mr. Irvin, the Board Members present voted unanimously to approve the Complaint Committee report for May 2026. Mr. Steinman was not yet present and did not vote on the motion.

APPLICATION REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

Chairman Brown reported that, for the month of May, there were two applications reviewed. A master license application was accepted; a journeyperson license application was denied.

Upon a motion by Mr. Smith, and a second by Mr. Poch, the Board Members present voted unanimously to approve the Application Review Committee report for May 2026. Mr. Steinman was not yet present and did not vote on the motion.

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 April 2026, PSI exams submitted the following statistical summary:

Ms. Lantz reported that since the inception of the exam, 9,468 candidates were tested, 2,681, passed, 6,787 failed, for a pass rate of 28%.

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROVIDER COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Steinman reported that no Continuing Education Provider applications were received for review during the reporting period. He did note that there is a pending application.

EXAM CHALLENGES COMMITTEE REPORT

Mr. Steinman stated that there were no challenges and, accordingly, no report necessary.

NEC 2026 COMMITTEE

Mr. Marquette stated there was a meeting with the Maryland Uniform Electrical Licensing Examination Committee (“MUELEC”), including a discussion of the development of potential examination questions. Mr. Marquette advised that MUELEC anticipates providing the proposed examination questions to the Board for review by June 30, 2026. Mr. Marquette further stated that staff will remain in contact with MUELEC to monitor progress and provide any additional assistance requested.

CORRESPONDENCE

Ms. Lantz stated that there was no correspondence to be discussed.

OLD BUSINESS

COMAR 09.09.02.02 and 09.09.03.04 - NEC Enforcement and Continuing Education

Mr. Marquette provided updates regarding the proposed regulations for NEC enforcement and the requirement that applicants hold a journeyman electrician license prior to applying for the master electrician examination and advised that both proposed regulations are currently under review in the Secretary’s Office for approval prior to continuing through the regulatory process. Mr. Marquette further stated that discussions are ongoing with stakeholders, including unions, employers, and trade organizations, to obtain feedback regarding implementation of the journeyman licensure requirement.

Review of Regulatory Process

At the request of Board Chair Brown, Counsel provided an overview of the Maryland regulatory promulgation process for the benefit of newer Board members. Counsel explained that regulations may clarify statutory language or implement authority granted by the legislature. Counsel further outlined the process for submitting a regulatory concept sheet to the Secretary’s Office for approval; review by the Administrative, Executive, Legislative, and Regulatory Committee (“AELR”); publication in the Maryland Register; the 30-day public comment period; Board consideration of public comments; and final adoption procedures. Counsel also explained that substantive changes to a proposed regulation require the regulation to be reproposed, while non-substantive changes may proceed with a certification from the Office of the Attorney General. Counsel advised that final action on a regulation generally becomes effective ten (10) days after publication in the Maryland Register unless a later date is requested by the licensing authority. Counsel noted that the regulatory process typically takes no fewer than 45 days, though delays may occur due to AELR scheduling or pending approvals.

Mr. Marquette further noted that Andrew Friel, Director of Government Affairs, assists with the regulatory process following initial Board approval. It was stated that Mr. Friel previously developed a flowchart outlining the regulatory process, and a copy will be distributed to Board members for reference to provide a visual overview of the process and approval stages.

NEW BUSINESS

Chairman Brown raised a discussion regarding the Board’s prior position concerning the definition and determination of “electrical services” and questioned whether the Board should revisit or formally memorialize the position due to changes in Board membership. Counsel advised that existing Board policy remains in effect unless changed by the Board and noted that she had drafted rough language for a regulation that she had shared with the Chair.

The Chair stated that, upon reviewing prior meeting minutes, it seemed that the Board had not taken action to memoriale the position and suggested that the matter be revisited at a future meeting. Mr. Brown requested that the topic be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting and advised that he would redistribute prior materials and background information to assist with further discussion and potential formal action by the Board

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

Mr. Marquette stated that staff recently met with representatives of the Maryland Uniform Electrical Licensing Examination Committee (“MUELEC”) to provide a presentation regarding licensing expectations, continuing education requirements, NEC code adoption efforts, and annual reporting requirements for local jurisdictions. Mr. Marquette stated that the meeting was intended to maintain communication with local jurisdictions and ensure consistent messaging to licensees regarding Board and State requirements. Mr. Marquette further advised that staff intend to continue participating in similar meetings with local jurisdictions and trade organizations throughout the State to strengthen relationships and provide ongoing updates regarding Board activities.

Mr. Marquette also advised the Board that the deadline for submitting legislative concepts for consideration by the Department of Labor was June 30, 2026 and encouraged Board members to raise any proposed statutory changes for discussion. Mr. Marquette explained that concepts submitted at this stage would later be further developed over the summer for review by the Commissioner and Secretary.

COUNSEL’S REPORT

Counsel stated that she had nothing further to report.

CHAIR’S REPORT

Chairman Brown did not offer a report.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

CLOSED SESSION

There was no Closed Session necessary.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Charles Marquette, Executive Director
Mechanical Boards

Date:

As voted and approved by the Board on: