Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 2576

Brief Description:  Giving the director of the department of licensing authority to adopt master application fees by rule.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hunt, Conway and Kenney; by request of Department of Licensing.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Authorizes the department to set master license fees by rule.

Hearing Date:  1/31/02

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background:

The Master License Service is administered by the Department of Licensing, Business and Professions Division.  The program functions as a central licensing service for persons who conduct a variety of businesses in Washington.  A master license is a single license that incorporates endorsements, certificates, approvals, and registrations, and certifies state agency approval for the various regulated activities in which a business may be engaged.  The program also provides information to the business community concerning state licensing and regulatory requirements, including local and federal information regarding state‑regulated activities.

Master license fees currently are set in statute and have been unchanged since 1992.  The master application fee is $15, and the renewal fee is $9.

Summary of Bill:

The department is authorized to set the handling fees by rule for master license application and renewal in accordance with existing policy.  A nonrefundable handling fee is collected from each new applicant, and from each licensee upon renewal.

Rules Authority:  The department is authorized to set fees by rule.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill takes effect on September 1, 2002.