SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5340
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 23, 2017
Title: An act relating to class B elevator work permits.
Brief Description: Concerning class B elevator work permits.
Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Baumgartner and Conway; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Commerce, Labor & Sports: 2/15/17, 2/16/17 [DP-WM].
Ways & Means: 2/22/17.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, LABOR & SPORTS |
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
Signed by Senators Baumgartner, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Keiser, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Hasegawa, King, Rossi, Saldaña and Wilson.
Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Staff: Daniel Masterson (786-7454)
Background: L&I administers and enforces state laws regarding installation, operation, inspection, and repair of conveyances. Examples of conveyances include elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, stairway chair lifts, and moving walkways. In general, owners must obtain permits from L&I before conveyances are built, installed, moved, or altered. Conveyances must also have operating permits and are subject to safety inspections by L&I.
In general, conveyance work must be performed by a licensed elevator contractor employing a licensed elevator mechanic. The elevator contractor must notify L&I before completion of the work and subject the new, relocated, or altered portions of the conveyance to testing, and L&I must inspect the conveyance.
Summary of Bill: The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (Proposed Substitute): L&I may issue Class B elevator work permits for the performance of Class B elevator work without the requirement of a witness inspection of the equipment before it is placed into operation.
Class B elevator work means:
minor alterations; or
installations of private residential stairway chair lifts.
Class B alterations must be done by a licensed elevator mechanic. The department may require a licensed elevator contractor to demonstrate competency to maintain eligibility to purchase Class B permits. L&I is required to inspect Class B work on a random basis.
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 (Commerce, Labor & Sports): PRO: The bill allows for more efficient administration of the elevator program, which will allow L&I to focus on more hazardous conveyances rather than minor projects.
Persons Testifying (Commerce, Labor & Sports): PRO: Senator Karen Keiser, Prime Sponsor; Tammy Fellin, Labor & Industries; Tom McBride, National Elevator Industry, Inc.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Commerce, Labor & Sports): No one.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Proposed Substitute (Ways & Means): PRO: This bill preserves public safety while providing relief to building owners who make minor alterations to elevators. The cost associated with this bill would go toward replacing a system that an audit found did not have sufficient data to support the program. This brings Washington's elevator code more in line with national standards. This will allow L&I to streamline their testing process and to allocate limited resources to life/safety work and the annual inspection process.
OTHER: The intent of the bill is good, but the language needs to be updated.
Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Tammy Fellin, Labor & Industries; Tom McBride, National Elevator Industry, Inc.. OTHER: Eldon Nickens, Business Rep. IUEC Local 19.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Ways & Means): No one.