HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1770

                    As Amended by Senate

Title:  An act relating to enforcement of requirements for plumbing certificates of competency.

Brief Description:  Revising enforcement requirements for plumbing certificates of competency.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mastin and Grant.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  2/20/95, 3/1/95 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/13/95, 94-3.

Senate Amended.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Lisk, Chairman; Hargrove, Vice Chairman; Thompson, Vice Chairman; Romero, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cairnes; Cody; Cole; Goldsmith and Horn.

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

Staff:  Pam Madson (786-7166).

Background:  In 1994, the Department of Labor and Industries was directed to establish a pilot project in Eastern Washington in which it would enter into an agreement with a city to permit enforcement of plumbing certificate of competency laws.  Under an agreement, the city would submit declarations of noncompliance to the department for the department's enforcement action, with reimbursement to the city at an established fee.

A person may not engage in plumbing work unless he or she has a certificate of competency, a temporary permit, or a training certificate.  The department issues certificates of competency.  Compliance with these requirements are enforced by the department administratively.  A notice of infraction is issued and a hearing is provided using administrative law judges, and  penalties may be assessed.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Labor and Industries may, at its discretion, establish a pilot project in Eastern Washington covering local compliance inspections relating to certificate of competency laws.  Participation in the pilot project is expanded to include the county in which the city is located.  

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):

The Department of Labor and Industries may enter into agreements with cities and counties outside the pilot project area that allow local inspections for compliance with certificate of competency laws.  An intent section clarifies that enforcement of certificate of competency laws remains with the department.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 14, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  None.

Votes on Final Passage:

Yeas 94; Nays 3; Excused 1

Nays:  Fuhrman, Schoesler, Sherstad

Excused:  Blanton