Gov. Abbott issues executive order to keep Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - State plumbing regulations will stay in place for now after Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order to keep the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners from shutting down. Abbott cited the continuing recovery from Hurricane Harvey.

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners was on track to shut down by September of this year after lawmakers failed to renew it during the most recent session. 

The board is responsible for licensing plumbers and investigating claims of unlicensed work or violations of the state's plumbing law.

When the renewal failed, thousands of plumbers called on Abbott for a special session.

Abbott had tweeted that his office had a way to extend the agency without calling lawmakers back to Austin and until last night nothing had been released on how he planned to resolve the situation.

The executive order was signed last night just hours before a group of plumbers had planned to rally at the Capitol.

Organizers say the rally is still happening despite the governor's announcement. Plumbers from all over the state are expected to attend.