SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1234

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Commerce & Labor, March 27, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the board of plumbers.

Brief Description:  Modifying the size of the state advisory board of plumbers.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Cairnes, Mason, Clements, Mulliken, Thompson, McMorris, Reams, Honeyford, Sterk, Kenney, Blalock, Cody, Keiser, Conway, Cooper, O'Brien, Tokuda, Dunshee, Wood, Fisher and Kastama).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  3/20/97, 3/27/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Schow, Chair; Horn, Vice Chair; Anderson, Franklin, Fraser, Heavey and Newhouse.

Staff:  Aurora Almeda (786-7488)

Background:  The state Advisory Board of Plumbers was created in 1973.  The board has three members: a journeyman plumber, a person engaged in the plumbing business, and a member of the public with knowledge of the business and trade of plumbing.  The Governor appoints the members of the board for three-year staggered terms.

The board advises the director of the Department of Labor and Industries on rules regulating the trade of plumbing, and on criteria for examinations of persons who wish to engage in the plumbing trade.  The board may also conduct hearings on the revocation of a certificate of competency.

Some members of the industry have expressed concern about the board=s regional representation and decision-making process.

Summary of Bill:  The membership of the board increases to five members, by adding one additional journeyman and one additional member conducting a plumbing business. The staggered terms of the board members expire between 1998 and 2000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Increasing the board membership from three to five will increase diversity, better regional representation, and ease the ability of the board to hold a quorum.  The current membership is comprised of individuals from Seattle and western Washington and does not reflect the variety of individuals involved in the plumbing trade.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Representative Jack Cairnes, prime sponsor; Dan Sexton, Plumbers and Pipefitters UA; Larry Stevens, Mechanical Contractors Association.