SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5655

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, MARCH 2, 1993

Brief Description:  Limiting electrical inspection fees.

SPONSORS: Senators Prentice, Roach, Sutherland, Fraser, Prince, Erwin and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5655 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Fraser, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, Sutherland, and Wojahn.

Staff:  David Cheal (786‑7576)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1993; March 2, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Labor and Industries has the basic responsibility to inspect all electrical wiring in buildings.  Cities and towns that adopt appropriate ordinances may assume this responsibility.  The department also establishes electrical work permit fees that are to cover the cost of inspection activities.

Cities may establish electricity supply agencies which they own and operate.  In such cases, they may also assume responsibility for inspections within the service area even though the service area is outside their corporate limits.  In those areas, fees charged for enforcement may not exceed those established by the Department of Labor and Industries.

SUMMARY:

Within the service area of an electricity supply agency owned and operated by a city or town, which is outside the corporate limits of the city or town, the agency may charge an enforcement fee of up to 125 percent of those established by the Department of Labor and Industries. 

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The amendatory language is placed in the proper subsection so it will apply to cities within their corporate boundaries.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Cities are charging exorbitant prices for inspections compared to the Department of Labor and Industries.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Jordy Andrew (pro); Larry Stevens (pro)