Subject of Possible Rule Making: Amendments under consideration to the electrical rules, WAC 296-46B-945 Qualifying for master, journey level, specialty electrician examinations.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: SSB 6126, chapter 249, Laws of 2018; and chapter 19.28 RCW, Electricians and electrical installations, including RCW 19.28.031 and 19.28.251.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are required to implement SSB 6126 (chapter 249, Laws of 2018). SSB 6126 enacted apprenticeship requirements for journey-level electrician examination candidates that take effect July 1, 2023. SSB 6126 gives department of labor and industries (L&I) the authority, until July 1, 2025, to permit applicants that have obtained experience and training equivalent to a journey level apprenticeship program to take the examination, if the applicant has "good cause" for not completing the minimum hours of work applicable on July 1, 2023 (RCW 19.28.195).

This rule making considers amendments to the journey-level electrician examination qualifications under WAC 296-46B-945. The amendments under consideration provide for exceptions to electrician registered apprenticeship completion for "good cause," until July 1, 2025. This rule making also considers updates and housekeeping amendments.

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. The electrical board reviews all rule proposals.

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, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, phone 360-902-6244, fax 360-902-5282, email Alicia.Curry@Lni.wa.gov, website https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/electrical/laws-rules-policies.