HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1446

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                      Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to professional licensing.

Brief Description:  Pertaining to professional licensing.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Fuhrman, Cole and Heavey; by request of Department of Licensing.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, February 12, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fuhrman, Ranking Minority Member; Lisk, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Franklin; Jones; R. King; O'Brien; Prentice; Vance; and Wilson.

Staff:  Jim Kelley  (786-7166).

Background:  The enabling act of the Department of Licensing states that there will be a "business and professions administration hereby created consisting of the divisions of securities, real estate and professional licensing, within the department of licensing."  However, in another section, the enabling act authorizes the director to organize the department in such a manner as he or she may deem necessary.

The department's enabling legislation also specifies that the director may appoint and deputize an assistant director of business and professional licensing and grants rule- making authority to the assistant director.

Summary of Bill:  All references to the business and professions administration including the divisions of securities, real estate and professional licensing are deleted.

The director is authorized to appoint and deputize executive officers such as a deputy director and assistant directors.  The executive officers may promulgate rules and administer laws.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This bill would allow the Director of the Department of Licensing to organize the department in the most effective manner possible.  It is unclear why the enabling statute required there to be a business and professions administration within the department.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Marsha Tadano-Long, Department of Licensing.