HB 2172-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Provides that each applicant for a specialty plumber's certificate of competency under RCW 18.106.010(8)(b) shall furnish written evidence that he or she is eligible to take the examination.  These eligibility requirements shall be adopted by rule by the director pursuant to this act.

     Requires the director to establish reasonable criteria by rule for determining an applicant's eligibility to take an examination for the certificate of competency for specialty plumbers under this act.  In establishing the criteria, the director shall consult with the state advisory board of plumbers as established in RCW 18.106.110.  These rules must take effect by July 1, 2002.

     Provides that those actively certified by the department of health on or before July 1, 2001, as backflow assembly testers and registered as a contractor under chapter 18.27 RCW or employed by a registered contractor, may perform maintenance and repair of backflow prevention assemblies, without being a certified plumber under this chapter, until January 1, 2003.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 2172-S

                   May 11, 2001

To the Honorable Speakers and Members,

  The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 4, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2172 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the repair and maintenance of backflow prevention assemblies;"

     Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2172 creates a specialty plumber's certificate of competency for the maintenance and repair of backflow prevention assemblies.  This bill will make it easier and more cost effective to conduct annual inspections of backflow prevention assemblies by increasing the number of available inspectors.

     Section 4 of the bill would have repealed the requirement that backflow prevention devices in residential dwellings be annually inspected.  Such action would compromise the health and safety of Washington residents and the integrity of our state's potable water.  Without a state inspection requirement, local governments would likely impose their own requirements, resulting in a multitude of differing standards.

     For these reasons I have vetoed section 4 of Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2172.

     With the exception of section 4, Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2172 is approved.

                   Respectfully submitted,

                   Gary Locke

                   Governor