Title: An act relating to electrical contractor licenses.

Brief Description: Requiring electrical contractors to be licensed before advertising.

Sponsors: Representatives Conway, Alexander, Wood, DeBolt, Simpson, Strow, Chase and Ormsby.

Brief History: Passed House: 1/27/06, 98-0.

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 3/17/05, 3/21/05, 2/16/06[DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member; Keiser and Prentice.

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: Statutes relating to plumbers, general contractors, and telecommunications work require that a person be properly registered or licensed before engaging in, conducting, or carrying on the respective business. In addition, the person is also prohibiting from offering to do work, submitting a bid to do work, or doing any advertising in the respective trade without being properly registered or licensed.

The statute relating to electrical contractors specifies that a license is required only before the entity can engage in, conduct, or carry on the business of an electrical contractor.

Summary of Bill: The statute relating to electrical contractors is amended to require a person to have a license before advertising, offering to do work, or submitting a bid to install or maintain wires or equipment to convey electric current.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Most people in the industry consider this to be an existing requirement, but the clarification will remove any doubt, which will help the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) reduce the costs of litigation. The clarification also helps level the playing field against electrical contractors attempting to conduct business in the underground economy.

Testimony Against: The bill is unnecessary because L&I currently interprets the law this way, and could lead to L&I requiring electrical contractors to include their license numbers on the magnetic signs on their company vehicles.

Who Testified: PRO: Dick King, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 46; Gary Smith, Independent Business Assn.

CON: Larry Stevens, National Electrical Contractors Assn.