HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESB 5780

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                     Energy & Utilities

Title:  An act relating to authorizing the board of boiler rules to prescribe extended inspection schedules for power boilers.

Brief Description:  Authorizing the board of boiler rules to prescribe extended inspection schedules for power boilers.

Sponsors:  Senators Sutherland, Hochstatter, Snyder, Sellar, Amondson, Vognild and Bauer.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Energy & Utilities, March 25, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Grant, Chair; Finkbeiner, Vice Chair; Casada, Ranking Minority Member; Johanson; Kessler; Kremen; Long; and Ludwig.

Staff:  Ken Conte (786-7113).

Background:  The Board of Boiler Rules, created in 1951, is a five member board responsible for establishing definitions, rules and regulations for (1) the safe and proper construction, installation, repair, use and operation of boilers and (2) the safe and proper construction, installation and repair of unfired pressure vessels in the state.

Current law requires that power boilers be inspected (1) both internally and externally while not under pressure on an annual basis and (2) externally while under pressure on an annual basis if possible.  A two month grace period is allowed between internal inspections and between external inspections.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The board may provide for longer periods between both internal and external inspections of power boilers while not under pressure if the contents, history, and operation of the power boiler warrants special consideration.

The existing two month grace period allowed between inspections of power boilers will apply to whatever period the board establishes.

Amended Bill Compared to Engrossed Bill:  The amended bill makes technical changes to more clearly carry out the intent of the original bill.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  We would like to reaffirm our support for this bill.  There are technical amendments to correct problems in the bill as it now stands.  The Department of Labor and Industries supports this bill. With improvements in technology and safety measures, this bill will not adversely impact safety.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  (All pro) Collins Sprague, Washington Water Power Company; Ron Newbry, Pacificorp; and Joe Brewer, Department of Labor and Industry.