SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6487
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE, FEBRUARY 4, 1994
Brief Description: Exempting espresso machines from boiler regulations.
SPONSORS: Senators Moore, Winsley and McAuliffe
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6487 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Moore, Chairman; Prentice, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Deccio, Fraser, McAuliffe, Newhouse, Pelz, Prince, Sellar, Sutherland, Vognild and Wojahn.
Staff: Jonathan Seib (786‑7427)
Hearing Dates: January 31, 1994; February 4, 1994
BACKGROUND:
Espresso coffee machines used in commercial coffee shops contain boilers that have been determined to be subject to regulation and inspection by the state and some local jurisdictions.
There is concern that such regulation will serve little public benefit while imposing a substantial burden on small businesses, and not be the best use of limited government resources.
SUMMARY:
Certain electric boilers used in espresso coffee machines are exempt from state boiler regulation laws.
Local jurisdictions are prohibited from regulating boilers exempted from state law by this act.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:
The exemption from state boiler regulation laws is expanded to include all electric boilers having a tank volume of not more than one and one-half cubic feet, with a maximum working pressure of 80 pounds or less, meeting certain national or international standards.
Local jurisdictions are prohibited from regulating boilers exempt from state law by this act.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
Research has revealed few, if any, injuries have been caused by faulty boilers in espresso machines. Engineering studies indicate that the boilers pose little threat to public safety. Regulation would impose an unnecessary burden on many small businesses.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Barbara Douma, John Blackwell, Espresso Specialists (pro)