Brief Description: Concerning certified electricians.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade (originally sponsored by Senator Swecker).

Hearing Date: 3/24/03

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

Background:

State law requires persons who engage in the business of installing or maintaining electrical wires or equipment to have either a general electrical contractor license or an appropriate specialty electrical contractor license. Exemptions from this licensing requirement include certain property owners and utilities, and certain work on motor vehicle systems and electric power generation equipment.

State law also requires persons who engage in the electrical construction trade to be certified as journey level electricians or appropriate specialty electricians. Property owners and electrical contractors must purchase electrical work permits for all electrical installations or alterations. The Department of Labor and Industries, or the applicable city or town, must inspect such installations.

Summary of Bill:

Certified electricians who are not licensed electrical contractors may perform electrical work for certain nonprofit organizations under specified conditions. The organizations are either nonprofit corporations exempt from federal income taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or nonprofit religious organizations. The conditions are that certified electricians not be compensated for the electrical work, and that the cost of the electrical work would not have exceeded $200,000. Certification, permitting, and inspection requirements are not modified.

Rules Authority: The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.