Title: An act relating to the uniform regulation of business and professions.

Brief Description: Modifying provisions concerning the uniform regulation of business and professions.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Wood, Conway and Condotta; by request of Department of Licensing).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/11/06, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/21/06, 2/23/06 [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; Honeyford and Keiser.

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: The Legislature enacted the Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions Act (URBP) in 2002. Prior to the adoption of the URBP, the various professions regulated by the Department of Licensing (DOL) had different investigative authorities, disciplinary procedures, sanctions, etc. The URBP consolidated many of these provisions and clarified the discipline authority of the DOL director or relevant board or commission, but also created inconsistencies in some of the business and profession statutes.

Summary of Bill: Technical changes are made to the URBP and related professional licensing statutes to resolve conflicts and to clarify disciplinary authorities.

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: This is primarily a technical housekeeping bill, making language consistent throughout the related statutes and industry standards.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Jana Jones, Dept. of Licensing; Jim Irish, Appraisers Coalition of WA.