Title: An act relating to providing assistance in identifying fire sprinkler system components that have been subject to a recall or voluntary replacement program.

Brief Description: Providing assistance in identifying recalled sprinkler system parts.

Sponsors: House Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Holmquist, Simpson, Curtis, Condotta, Dunshee and Darneille).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/08/05, 97-0.

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 3/24/05 [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; Hewitt, Honeyford, Keiser and Prentice.

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: Fire sprinkler contractors and those who hold fire sprinkler certificates of competency must pay registration and other fees to the state fire marshal (director of fire protection), which are deposited into the Fire Protection Contractor License Fund. The use of the amounts in this fund is limited to purposes related to licensing and regulating fire protection sprinkler system contractors.

Summary of Bill: In addition to the purposes currently authorized, amounts in the Fire Protection Contractor License Fund may also be used to assist in publicizing and identifying fire sprinkler components that are subject to recall or voluntary replacement by the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission, a nationally recognized testing laboratory, or a fire sprinkler product manufacturer.

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: There are over 700,000 defective sprinkler heads in homes, apartments, and small businesses. Yet, most people are unaware of these defects. This bill would expand the use of the Fire Protection Contractor License Fund to permit an educational campaign and reduce fire fatality, all within existing funds.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Representative Holmquist.