Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Labor Committee |
HB 1608
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning the replacement of like-in-kind household appliances.
Sponsors: Representatives Buys and Vick.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/12/15
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
The regulatory scheme for the performance of electrical work consists of licensure for electrical contractors and certification for electricians. To work as an electrician, an individual must have a journey level or specialty electrician certificate of competency or a trainee certificate. A journey level certificate permits all electrical work. An 02 residential specialty electrician is limited to work on one and two-family dwellings and multifamily dwellings of no more than three stories. An 06A specialty electrician may install, repair, replace and maintain heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. An 07D appliance repair specialty electrician may service, maintain, repair, or replace household appliances, and other small electrical utilization equipment such as ovens, office equipment, commercial kitchen equipment, and self-contained hot tubs and spas. Alarm systems, furnaces, plumbing work, and other specified work is specifically excluded.
For the plumbing trade, a plumbing contractor must register as a contractor under laws applicable to construction generally, and a plumber must be certified as either a journey level or specialty plumber.
Some work is exempt from the requirement that a certified electrician or plumber perform the work. For example, a plumbing certificate is not required for a journey level or residential specialty electrician to perform plumbing work that is incidental to the like-in-kind replacement of a household appliance or other small household utilization equipment that requires limited electric power and limited waste and/or water connections. The electrical contractor employing the electrician to do the incidental work does not need to register as a contractor. Conversely, a registered plumbing contractor may employ a certified plumber or residential plumber to perform electrical work that is incidental to work that requires limited electric power and limited waste and/or water connections.
The plumbing and electrical trade laws are administered and enforced by the Department of Labor and Industries.
Summary of Bill:
The exemption from plumbing and electrical certification requirements for certain like-in-kind replacement includes HVAC/refrigeration specialty (06A) and appliance repair specialty (07D) electricians. The incidental work permitted is changed to no longer require limited electric power.
Journey level and residential (02), HVAC/refrigeration (06A) and appliance repair (O7D) specialty electricians may perform plumbing work that is incidental to the like-in-kind replacement of a household appliance or other small household utilization equipment that requires limited waste and/or water connections. The electrical contractor employing the HVAC refrigeration or appliance repair specialty electrician does not need to separately register as a contractor.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 3, 2015.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.