SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5957

 

As of February 21, 2001

 

Title:  An act relating to specialty plumbing.

 

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions on plumbers.

 

Sponsors:  Senators Hewitt and McCaslin.

 

Brief History: 

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Financial Institutions:  2/22/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

 

Staff:  Casey Bui (786‑7448)

 

Background:  Under current law, a person may not engage in the trade of plumbing unless he or she has a journeyman certificate, a specialty certificate, a temporary permit, or a trainee certificate.  The Department of Labor and Industries administers the certification programs for plumbers.  Individuals desiring to obtain certification must meet certain experience or educational requirements.  In addition, individuals must pass an examination which tests general knowledge and practical procedures of the trade, and familiarity with applicable plumbing codes and administrative rules of the department.

 

Currently, backflow assembly testers are allowed to inspect backflow systems.  However, they are not allowed to make plumbing repairs on those systems.

 

Summary of Substitute Bill:  "Specialty plumber" is expanded to include anyone who has been issued a specialty certificate of competency for in-line maintenance and repair of backflow prevention assemblies.  People desiring to receive such certification must furnish written evidence that they hold a certificate as a backflow assembly tester by the Department of Health and are registered as a contractor with the Department of Labor and Industries.

 

Courses of study at an accredited school are no longer used as evidence in considering an applicant's eligibility to take the competency examination for a specialty plumber's certificate.

 

Statutory language is changed to be either gender-inclusive or gender-neutral.

 

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill was not considered.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

 

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