WSR 16-19-075

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed September 20, 2016, 9:19 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Electrical rules, chapter 296-46B WAC, Electrical safety standards, administration, and installation.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 19.28 RCW, Electricians and electrical installations.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The electrical program is considering amendments to the electrical rules (chapter 296-46B WAC) following a formal review of the rules and new safety code requirements from the 2017 edition of the National Electrical Code (NEC) (NFPA 70 – 2017). The electrical rules are reviewed each code cycle or every three years to ensure the rules are consistent with national electrical safety standards, industry practice, to clarify the rules, and for housekeeping changes. The review process provides Washington's electrical stakeholders the opportunity to review the new NEC requirements, submit proposals and provide recommendations to the department regarding adoption of specific sections of the 2017 NEC. The proposed rules may include amendments to all sections of chapter 296-46B WAC, excluding the electrical fees in WAC 296-46B-906, 296-46B-909, and 296-46B-911.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rules and formulation of the proposed rules before publication by contacting the individual listed below. The public can also participate, after amendments are proposed by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process. All rule proposals will be reviewed by a technical advisory committee (TAC) and the electrical board.

The department of labor and industries (L&I) is seeking input from interested parties to be used in the formulation of the proposed electrical rules for the 2017 revision cycle. Interested parties may submit rule proposals for additions/revisions to the existing rules and new code requirements from 12:01 a.m., October 1, 2016, to 11:59 p.m., October 31, 2016. The department is also appointing a general TAC made up of experts and interested group representatives to review and make recommendations on proposals from the electrical industry. Interested parties may submit an application to become a TAC member and participate in the rules development process from October 1, 2016, to October 31, 2016. For more information on this rule making, visit the L&I web site at http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Electrical/LawRulePol/RuleDev/default.asp or contact the individual below. Interested parties can sign up for e-mail updates at http://www.lni.wa.gov/Main/Listservs/Electrical.asp.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Alicia Curry, L&I, Field Services and Public Safety Division, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, phone (360) 902-6244, fax (360) 902-5292, e-mail Alicia.Curry@Lni.wa.gov.

September 20, 2016

Joel Sacks

Director