SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1133
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 of February 20, 2018
Title: An act relating to limiting the uses of the fire protection contractor license fund.
Brief Description: Limiting the uses of the fire protection contractor license fund.
Sponsors: Representatives Griffey and Appleton.
Brief History: Passed House: 1/29/18, 95-0.
Committee Activity: Labor & Commerce: 2/21/18.
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE |
Staff: Susan Jones (786-7404)
Background: Hospital Fire Protection Inspections. The chief of the Washington State Patrol, through the director of Fire Protection (Director), sets and enforces standards for fire protection as they relate to hospitals. Upon receipt of an application for a license to establish, maintain, or conduct a hospital, the Department of Health (DOH) submits a request for an inspection to the Director. The Director then inspects the premises, coinciding with the licensing inspection conducted by the DOH. When a premises does not comply with the required safety standards and fire regulations, the applicant or licensee is required to submit corrections to comply with the standards and regulations. The Director may reinspect a premises if extensive and serious corrections are required. When a premises meets the required standards and regulations, the Director must submit a written report approving the hospital with respect to fire protection before the hospital can be issued a full license. The Director must inspect licensed hospitals on average at least once every 18 months.
Fire Protection Contractor License Fund. The Director administers licensing and certification requirements, and sets license and certificate fees, for licensed fire protection sprinkler system contractors and fire sprinkler certificate of competency holders. All receipts from license and certificate fees are deposited into the Fire Protection Contractor License Fund. Expenditures from the fund may only be used for:
costs associated with meeting standards for fire protection and its enforcement, with respect to hospital fire protection inspections;
providing assistance in identifying fire sprinkler system components subject to recalls or voluntary replacement programs; and
developing and publishing educational materials related to the effectiveness of residential fire sprinklers.
Summary of Bill: The Director may not use the Fire Protection Contractor License Fund to pay for costs associated with hospital fire protection inspections.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is an attempt to stop the legislature from raiding the fund. The fund is solely paid by licensees. The law was changed to allow the payment of fund for hospital inspections. Before that the fund was robust. After the change, the fund became almost insolvent. We have worked on this with others and it seems like it has been fixed. This will stop this from happening again.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Dan Griffey, Prime Sponsor; Bryan McConaughy, Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of the Puget Sound.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.