SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5212

As Passed Senate, March 19, 2003

Title: An act relating to electricians.

Brief Description: Concerning electrical work on leased or rented property.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Honeyford, Rasmussen, Roach, Mulliken, T. Sheldon and Parlette).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Commerce & Trade: 2/13/03, 2/26/03 [DPS, DNP].

Passed Senate: 3/19/03, 31-18.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5212 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Honeyford, Chair; Hewitt, Vice Chair; and Mulliken.

Minority Report: Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators Franklin and Keiser.

Staff: Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background: The Department of Labor and Industries regulates the electrical profession at both the business and individual level. A license or certification is required unless a specific exemption is stated in law. Property owners are exempt from licensing and certification for work they perform on their property. Employees working on the premises of their employer are also exempt from licensing and certification.

Summary of Bill: Licensing and certification is not required for work on, alterations to, or replacement of parts of electrical installations necessary for maintenance on a residential rented or leased property. "New electrical installations or substantial alterations" are not included in this exemption.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Testimony For: If an owner of a building employs a maintenance person, that person is allowed to do electrical work in an apartment without being certified as an electrician. However, if a building is managed by a property management company, the company's employees cannot do the work without being certified as an electrician.

Testimony Against: This bill would decrease public safety. An electrical contractor should be required to do the work exempt in the bill.

Testified: PRO: Eric Mewhinney, WAA; Patty Vander Bruch, RHA; Larry Stevens, NELA/MCA (concerns); CON: Janet Lewis, Dick King, IBEW.