HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5793
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. |
As Passed House:
April 7, 2009
Title: An act relating to a single-occupancy farm conveyance.
Brief Description: Concerning a single-occupancy farm conveyance.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler, Hewitt, Honeyford and Morton).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Commerce & Labor: 3/17/09, 3/27/09 [DP].
Floor Activity
Passed House: 4/7/09, 98-0.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Crouse, Green, Moeller and Williams.
Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134)
Background:
State law establishes various requirements for installing, operating, and performing work on elevators and conveyances. Annual inspections and operating permits are required for most conveyances. Installation or alteration permits are required to perform work on conveyances. Licenses are required for mechanics who work on conveyances and contractors who provide installation, repair, and maintenance services. These requirements do not apply to conveyances that are permanently removed from service or made effectively inoperative, and to certain lifts and hoists erected for use during construction work. These requirements are administered by the Department of Labor and Industries and by the cities of Seattle and Spokane.
Summary of Bill:
Certain single-occupancy farm conveyances are exempt from inspection, permitting, and other requirements for elevators and conveyances. "Single-occupancy farm conveyances" are defined as hand-powered counterweighted single-occupancy conveyances that travel vertically in grain elevators and are located on farms that do not accept commercial grain. These conveyances are exempt only if they are used exclusively by farm operators and their family members.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) There are a nominal number of grain elevators that are no longer commercially viable. They may be used only once a year. The conveyances are counterweighted devices and not highly technical. The cost of annual inspections and operating permits do not make sense. The alternative — nailing boards to the side of the grain elevator and climbing up them — is less safe. The language of the bill was worked on with the Department of Labor and Industries and other legislators.
(Neutral) There are only about 20 of these conveyances. The loss of inspection and permit revenue would be very small.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Schoesler, prime sponsor; and Heather Hansen, Washington Association of Wheat Growers.
(Neutral) Josh Swanson, Department of Labor and Industries.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.