HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 1574


This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

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

Brief History:

Commerce & Labor: 2/9/07, 2/16/07 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/28/07, 97-0.
Passed Senate: 4/11/07, 47-0.
Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Makes a number of changes to the business and profession programs administered by the Department of Licensing (DOL), and to the uniform disciplinary procedures for businesses and professions regulated by the DOL.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Conway, Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Green, Moeller and Williams.

Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) regulates certain businesses and professions. Each regulated business and profession has a separate set of laws. Some businesses and professions, such as auctioneers and security guards, are under the authority of the Director of the DOL (Director) and others, such as architects and geologists, are under a board or commission charged with regulating the particular business or profession.

In 2002, the Legislature passed the Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions Act (URBPA) to provide standardized disciplinary procedures for various businesses and professions regulated by the DOL.


Summary of Substitute Bill:

A number of changes are made to the various professional licensing laws under the DOL and to the URBPA.

SPECIFIC PROFESSIONS:

Unprofessional Conduct.

Director and Board Authority.
For a number of businesses and professions, clarification is added:

URBPA REVISIONS:

Definitions. "Unlicensed practice" is defined to include representations to a "person" rather than a "consumer."

Scope. Bail bond recovery agents are added to the list of professions covered by the URBPA.

Procedures. A number of changes are made to disciplinary procedures:

Applications. Although the URBPA does not apply generally to conduct or conditions occurring before January 1, 2003, it does apply to applications for licensure made on or after January 1, 2003.

Other clarifying changes are made.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) We hope we have support. We have some additional minor changes to this technical bill.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Ralph Osgood, Department of Licensing.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.