SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5396

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

           Labor, Commerce & Trade, January 31, 1995

Title:  An act relating to inspections of conveyances.

Brief Description:  Providing for elevator inspections every two years.

Sponsors:  Senators Pelz, Deccio, Franklin and Palmer; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  1/24/95, 1/31/95 [DPA].

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:  The Department of Labor and Industries is required to inspect and test all elevators at least once every year. The department states that at current funding levels, it is unable to keep up with an increased workload without additional elevator inspectors.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The Department of Labor and Industries conveyance inspection cycle is changed from at least once each year to at least once every two years and requires that elevators found in poor condition be inspected yearly for five years.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The requirement that elevators found in poor condition be inspected yearly for five years is added.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The department does not have the resources to keep up with current and expected workload on the existing one-year inspection cycle.  Lengthening the inspection cycle is a cost avoidance measure that should not compromise public safety.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mark Brown, Director, Department of Labor and Industries.