HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2389

                       As Passed House

                      February 8, 1994

Title:  An act relating to certificates of competency of electricians.

Brief Description:  Clarifying deadlines for certificates of competency for electricians.

Sponsors:  Representatives Springer, Chandler, Finkbeiner and Eide; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.

Brief History:

Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, January 26, 1994, DP;

Passed House, February 8, 1994, 89-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

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

Staff:  Wright Noel (786-5793).

Background:  A person working as an electrician must have a certificate issued by the Department of Labor and Industries, unless the specific work is exempt from the certification requirement.

The department issues a certificate of competency to a qualified applicant who passes an examination administered by the department.  The electrician certification statute was amended in 1993 to require continuing education for the renewal of a certificate.  The 1993 change also extended the license expiration date from two years to three years and retained language stating that the certificate shall be renewed on or before the holder's birthdate.

Summary of Bill:  A journeyman or specialty electrician certificate of competency must be renewed every three years.  However, the language requiring that the certificate be renewed on or before the holder's birthdate is stricken.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  This is a housekeeping bill.  The bill should change the way electricians file for renewal certificates.  Currently electricians file for renewal certificates on their birthdays.  This bill encourages electricians to file renewal certificate applications on one of two dates--October 31 or April 30. Having the application process occur twice a year will save the department money.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (In favor) Joe Brewer, Labor and Industries.