SENATE BILL REPORT

                  EHB 1770

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Labor, Commerce & Trade, March 28, 1995

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:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  3/21/95, 3/28/95 [DPA].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, Hale, Newhouse and Palmer.

Staff:  Max Williams (786-7439)

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 Amended 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, and it is clarified that nothing in this bill prevents the department from entering into similar agreements with other cities and counties regarding these inspections.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  An intent section is added to clarify that enforcement responsibilities shall remain with the department and that agreements between the department and the cities and counties relate only to the performance of compliance inspections by local governments.  It is clarified that the department is not precluded from entering into similar agreements with other cities and counties outside the pilot project's jurisdiction.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on March 15, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  Some cities and counties already do these compliance inspections.  This bill will improve the overall enforcement of the plumbing certificate of competency laws.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Larry Stevens, United Subcontractors Assn.; Dan Sexton, WA State Assn. of Plumbers and Pipefitters.