Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Commerce & Labor Committee

HB 2172

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions on the repair and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies.

Sponsors:  Representatives Grant and Mastin.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Creates a specialty plumbing certificate of competency for backflow prevention assembly repair and maintenance.

Hearing Date:  2/26/01

Staff:  Jill Reinmuth (786‑7134).

Background: 

State law requires that a backflow prevention device be installed in piping carrying used water, chemicals, liquids, gases or other substances that is interconnected with piping carrying potable water if there is a possibility that undrinkable substances could flow into the pipe or potable water system.  A backflow prevention device prevents undrinkable substances from flowing into pure or potable water systems.

The Department of Health requires that a backflow assembly tester inspect certain backflow prevention devices annually.  To inspect these devices, a person must be certified as a backflow assembly tester by the Department of Health.  To repair these devices, the person must be certified as a journey level plumber and registered as a contractor by the Department of Labor and Industries.

Summary of Bill: 

A specialty plumber certificate of competency for in-line maintenance and repair of backflow prevention assembly within buildings is created.  To qualify to take the exam to become certified in this specialty, a person must be certified as a backflow assembly tester by the Department of Health and registered as a contractor by the Department of Labor and Industries.  A person need not be certified as a journey level plumber.

A provision is deleted that permitted an applicant to demonstrate eligibility to take the exam for a certificate of a competency by furnishing evidence that he or she completed a course of study in the plumbing trade at a school accredited by the commission for vocational education.  (The commission was terminated in 1986 under the Sunset Act.)

Rules Authority:  The bill does not contain provisions addressing the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 22, 2001.

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