SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6496
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 Reported by Senate Committee On:
Commerce & Labor, February 3, 2016
Title: An act relating to the compliance of certain conversion vending units and medical units with certain department of labor and industries requirements.
Brief Description: Concerning the compliance of certain conversion vending units and medical units with certain department of labor and industries requirements.
Sponsors: Senators King, Conway, Warnick, Keiser and Hewitt; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Commerce & Labor: 1/29/16, 2/03/16 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Baumgartner, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Hasegawa, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Keiser, King and Warnick.
Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)
Background: The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) regulates factory assembled structures, including manufactured and mobile homes, conversion vendor units, and medical units. A "conversion vendor unit" is a motor or recreational vehicle that is either converted or built for commercial sales at temporary locations, such as a food truck. A "medical unit" is a self-propelled unit used for medical and dental services.
The Department adopts rules and safety standards for conversion vendor and medical units to protect occupants from fire and other life safety issues, and ensure the unit will support a concentrated load of 500 pounds or more. Any vendor or medical unit manufactured, used, leased, or sold in Washington State must meet Department requirements and obtain Department approval. An approved unit receives an insignia indicating compliance. Once approved, alterations cannot be made to the unit without prior Department approval. The Department also inspects vendor and medical units.
In general, a pre-owned unit that is manufactured and operated outside of Washington for at least six months is not required to meet state standards, unless the unit is altered in Washington State.
Summary of Bill: The exemption from standards for out-of-state conversion vendor and medical units is removed.
The requirements for plan approval are modified for conversion vendor units. Unless exempted by rule, the requirements apply to units that have concentrated loads exceeding 500 pounds or contain:
fuel gas piping systems and equipment;
solid fuel burning equipment;
fire suppression systems;
commercial hoods; or
electrical systems that are in excess of 30/120V, contain five or more circuits, or incorporate alternative energy systems.
Professional engineer or architect approval is only required for conversion vendor units with concentrated loads exceeding 500 pounds.
An advisory committee is established to identify conversion vendor units that may be exempted from plan review requirements by Department rule. The advisory committee may also recommend statutory changes to the Legislature.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a common sense bill that allows oversight of out-of-state food trucks brought into the state. The number of out-of-state food trucks is increasing and the bill requires them to adhere to the same rules as in-state food trucks. Overall, however, the bill will decrease the total number of plan reviews Labor and Industries does.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator King, prime sponsor; Tammy Fellin, Department of Labor & Industries.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.