SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1161

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions, March 27, 2001

Title:  An act relating to engineers and land surveyors.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the department of licensing to establish engineer and land surveyors' certificate and licensing renewal intervals, renewal fees, and renewal dates.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Conway, Clements and Kenney; by request of Department of Licensing).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions:  3/20/01, 3/27/01 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Franklin, Hochstatter, Honeyford, Rasmussen, Regala, West and Winsley.

Staff:  Casey Bui (786‑7448)

Background:  The Department of Licensing is responsible for the renewal of licenses and other forms of credentials for engineers and land surveyors.  In performing this duty, the department is obligated to mail annual renewal reminders to all licensed engineers and land surveyors at least 30 days before the December 31 renewal deadline.  This notice is to be sent to all registered individuals, firms and corporations.

The director is authorized to modify or extend the duration of initial certification periods and renewal certification periods in the interest of efficiency.  The department processes approximately 11,500 renewals annually.  The current practice of the department is to renew registration certificates for engineers and land surveyors every two years on the registrant=s birthday.

Summary of Bill:  The director of the Department of Licensing is authorized to set the renewal fees, intervals and dates for the registration, certification and licensing of engineers and land surveyors.  Fixed annual renewal dates are no longer prescribed but are left to the director's discretion.  The department must still send renewal reminder notices.

Certificates become invalid if not renewed by the expiration date.  If the certificate is not renewed within 90 days after expiration, a penalty fee equal to one year=s renewal fee is required for reinstatement.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The statute regulating engineers and land surveyors is in conflict with the Department of Licensing statute.  This bill brings the two statutes into alignment and also with current department practice.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO: Alan Rathbun, DOL; George Twiss, Board of Engineers, DOL.