COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION
MEMBERS: Stewart-Cousins, Chair, Bronz, Rogowsky, Abinanti
BOL: Ann Giordano, Richard Wishnie, Michael Kaplowitz, Vito Pinto, and Tara Bernard
GUESTS: John Pasquerella (Electrical Licensing Board), William Randolph (CEO) Liz Salvi (Law), Andrew Neuman (CEO), Mary Lynn Nicholas (Law),
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins called the meeting to order at 1:15 pm.
Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins welcomed John Pasquerella, Chair of the Electrical Licensing Board who came to discuss the possibility of a Local Law which would amend the Westchester County Electrical Licensing Law with regard to the renewal and shelving of electrical licenses for master and special electricians.
The discussion centered around the electrical board’s feeling that the law currently allows electricians who have not practiced the trade for over two years to renew their license without proving continued competency. The proposed new law would require an electrician who failed to renew on time to prove that they worked continuously under a master electrician during the prior two years. Work done after a two-year period would require new testing and licensing.
In its current form, sufficient questions remained as to whether the proposed new language reflected the intent or, could be upheld in a court. The Chair asked the law department to amend the language to reflect the legislative intent as well as clarify the law for the purposes of enforcement. The committee agreed to await the changes and invite Mr. Pasquerella back to discuss the changes at a later date.
The next agenda item was a presentation to the committee by Legislator Kaplowitz on supporting a statewide increase in the minimum wage. In light of the pending state legislative package, Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins suggested the item be advanced as part of the package. Other legislators suggested a letter to our delegation would be helpful as well. The committee agreed on the importance of following up the proposal as a way to augment Westchester’s recently passed Living Wage legislation.
Finally, Chairwoman Stewart-Cousins asked the committee to receive & File items #2, #15, #69, #101, #123, #131, #136 and that we place items #128 and #137 in sub files.
Motions to receive and file were made by Legislator Bronz, seconded by Legislator Abinanti.
On motions of Legislators Abinanti and Rogowsky, the meeting was adjourned at 2:07 pm