SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5744

                              AS OF MARCH 1, 1991

Brief Description:  Concerning electrical wiring requirements for counties.

SPONSORS:Senator L. Smith.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Staff:  Forrest Bathurst (786‑7429)

Hearing Dates:March 4, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Cities and towns are presently granted the authority to enact and enforce their own ordinances requiring equal or higher standards than the state for materials, devices, appliances, equipment, and construction methods used in electrical installations. 

Cities must ensure that their electrical inspectors meet the same qualifications as those required by the state for electrical inspectors.

Counties do not presently have the authority to enact and enforce their own electrical regulations.  Only the state, cities, and towns hold these powers.

SUMMARY:

Counties are granted the authority to enact and enforce laws, ordinances, rules and regulations requiring equal, higher, or better standards of construction, materials, devices, and equipment used for electrical installations.

The Department of Labor and Industries shall form an arbitration committee to resolve disagreements among the respective jurisdictions regarding the compatibility of their regulations when conflicts arise.  The committee shall consist of two members appointed by the electrical board, two members appointed by the county, city, or town.  These four members of the committee will appoint a fifth person to sit on the committee.

Appropriation: none 

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested February 28, 1991