FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5668

                           FULL VETO

                     As Passed Legislature

Brief Description:  Allowing the department of health to adopt a temporary worker housing code.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Insurance & Housing (originally sponsored by Senators Prentice, Deccio, Sellar, Newhouse, Hale, Anderson and Winsley).

Senate Committee on Financial Institutions, Insurance & Housing

House Committee on Trade & Economic Development

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  In 1995 the Legislature set a new policy course in farmworker housing.  The broad goals established were to streamline the regulatory process and to solve the public health problems presented by the current state of farmworker housing conditions.  Several tasks were assigned to agencies, including the development of a temporary worker building code, which was assigned to the state Building Code Council.  Directions to the council included developing a building code that complies with the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, that explores exceptions to the Uniform Building Code, that acknowledges the temporary nature of the occupancy, and that most temporary worker housing occupancy occurs during warm weather.

The council was instructed to appoint a technical advisory committee to assist in the development of the code.

The technical advisory group was formed, including representation from growers, workers, building professionals, local officials, and agency staff.  The Building Code Council staff provided staff support to the group.  The code has been developed on schedule and delivered to the Legislature.

The Department of Health has general licensing authority for farmworker labor camps.  The Department of Labor and Industries has the responsibility for enforcing the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act, which applies to agricultural work places.  The two departments cooperate in executing their regulatory responsibilities.

Summary:  The Department of Health is instructed to adopt a Temporary Worker Building Code by administrative rule with the participation of an advisory and oversight committee.  Guidelines for adopting the code are the same guidelines that were given to the Building Code Council to develop the code.  Application of the state Board of Health labor camp rules to temporary worker housing is clarified.  In addition, the department is instructed that the initial Temporary Worker Building Code is to be substantially equivalent to the product developed by the Building Code Council over the last two years.

The Department of Health is given the enforcement responsibilities of the Temporary Worker Building Code.  A provision is added to the Uniform Building Code chapter making it clear that temporary worker housing is to be constructed, altered and repaired according to the Temporary Worker Housing Code authorized by this act, and not under the Uniform Building Code.  The Department of Health is given authority to charge fees to cover the costs of plan review and inspections.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 43 0

House     68 27 (House amended)

Senate    46 1 (Senate concurred)