H-4293.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2703

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Clements, Chappell, Chandler, Koster, Lisk, Thompson and Johnson

Read first time 01/16/96.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.

Limiting department of labor and industries authority when the department of agriculture has authority to prescribe or enforce occupational safety and health standards.

    AN ACT Relating to occupational safety and health; amending RCW 49.17.030; adding a new section to chapter 49.70 RCW; repealing RCW 49.70.117 and 49.70.119; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

    Sec. 1.  RCW 49.17.030 and 1973 c 80 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, this chapter shall apply with respect to employment performed in any workplace within the state.  The department of labor and industries shall provide by rule for a schedule of fees and charges to be paid by each employer subject to this chapter who is not subject to or obtaining coverage under the industrial insurance laws and who is not a self-insurer.  The fees and charges collected shall be for the purpose of defraying such employer's pro rata share of the expenses of enforcing and administering this chapter.

(2) This chapter does not apply to employee working conditions with respect to which the department of agriculture exercises authority under chapter 15.58 or 17.21 RCW, or both, to prescribe or enforce standards affecting occupational safety or health.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 49.70 RCW to read as follows:

    This chapter does not apply to employee hazard communication programs with respect to which the department of agriculture exercises authority under chapter 15.58 or 17.21 RCW, or both, to prescribe or enforce standards affecting occupational safety or health.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

(1) RCW 49.70.117 and 1992 c 173 s 2 & 1989 c 380 s 76; and

(2) RCW 49.70.119 and 1992 c 173 s 3 & 1989 c 380 s 77.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

                            --- END ---