SENATE BILL REPORT
ESB
5243
As Passed Senate, February 15, 1995
Title: An act relating to special permits for miniature boilers.
Brief Description: Revising provision authorizing a special permit for miniature boilers.
Sponsors: Senator Oke.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce & Trade: 1/24/95, 1/31/95 [DPA].
Passed Senate, 2/15/95, 46-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, Hale, Newhouse, Palmer and Wojahn.
Staff: Max Williams (786-7439)
Background: In 1993, the Legislature authorized the Department of Labor and Industries to grant special installation and operating permits to miniature boilers. Miniature boilers, because of their size, cannot comply with the adopted code requirements of the State Board of Boiler Rules. These miniature boilers are used by hobbyists in model locomotives and launches, and for other noncommercial and non-industrial purposes. The law allows special permits only for those miniature boilers manufactured before January 1, 1995, that do not exceed certain statutory limits. Because of this provision, new miniature boilers cannot be certified for use.
Summary of Bill: The provision that grants special permits only for miniature hobby boilers manufactured before January 1, 1995, is eliminated. The current limits on the size, specifications, and use of these miniature boilers remain intact.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Removing the date limitations would allow the model steam locomotive hobbyists to continue building new models and have them certified for use. Hobbyists contend that the boilers are safe and that they are successfully tested well beyond normal operation conditions.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Senator Bob Oke, prime sponsor; Dennis Weaver, Kitsap Live Steamers.