HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1756

                    As Amended by Senate

Title:  An act relating to exemptions from RCW 19.28.510 through 19.28.620.

Brief Description:  Requiring the use of licensed or certified electricians for certain purposes.

Sponsors:  Representatives Veloria, Brumsickle and Casada.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, March 3, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 11, 1993, 97-0;

  Passed House, January 28, 1994, 96-0;

  Amended by Senate.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; King; Springer; and Veloria.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Horn.

Staff:  Chris Cordes (786-7117).

Background:  Under Washington law, electrical work must be performed by electricians who have a certificate of competency from the Department of Labor and Industries unless an exemption applies to the work.  The exemptions include work (1) being done on a person's own residence, farm, place of business, or other property owned by the person, or (2) being performed by employees on the premises of their employer.

Summary of Bill:  The exemptions from the requirements for obtaining a license and for using certified electricians are changed.  The exemption for electrical work being done on a person's own residence, farm, place of business, or other property owned by the person does not apply if the electrical work is on the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease.  The exemption for work being performed by the property owner or by employees on the premises of their employer does not apply if the electrical work is on the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): The Senate amendment provides an exemption from the requirement for having a license or using a certified electrician to do electrical work on the construction of a new building intended for lease or resale under the following circumstances:  (1) the building is a residential building of no more than four units, and (2) the person signs an affidavit to the Department of Labor and Industries that he or she will occupy one of the units as a principal residence.  This exemption may be received once every 24 months.  The intent is that the person will occupy the unit as a principal residence for 24 months after completion of the unit.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The electrical licensing law has a loophole that allows builders to circumvent the licensing requirements.  The Department of Labor and Industries should be able to require the same electrical standards for all buildings offered for sale.  If the builder intends to sell the project, then consumer safety is a priority issue.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Larry Stevens, National Electrical Contractors; Joe Brewer, Department of Labor and Industries; and Jordy Andrews, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Yeas 96; Excused 2

Excused:  Representatives Flemming, Riley