SSB 5984

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Commerce & Labor Committee

SSB 5984

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.

Brief Description: Allowing only structural engineers to provide engineering services for significant structures.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development (originally sponsored by Senators Murray and Clements).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Requires an engineer to be registered as a structural engineer to provide structural engineering services for significant structures.

Hearing Date: 3/27/07

Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).

Background:

A professional engineer is a person who, through professional education and practical experience, possesses special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design. A professional engineer must register with the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (Board) by meeting work experience requirements and passing an exam.

Structural engineering is a specialized branch of professional engineering. To receive a certificate of registration in structural engineering, an applicant must meet the registration requirements of professional engineers, have two years of structural engineering experience, and pass an exam.

Summary of Bill:

An engineer must be registered as a structural engineer to provide structural engineering services for significant structures.

Significant structures are defined as:

hazardous facilities that contain explosive substances that will endanger the public if released;
essential facilities such as hospitals, fire and police stations, structures that hold water or fire suppression materials, emergency vehicle shelters and garages, standby power-generating equipment, government communications centers, aviation control towers, and buildings having critical national defense functions;
structures exceeding 100 feet in height;
buildings of five stories or more;
bridges with a span of more than 200 feet;
piers with a surface area of more than 10,000 square feet; and
buildings where more than 300 people congregate in one area.

The Board may waive the structural engineer requirement until December 31, 2010, if the engineer was registered as a professional engineer as of January 1, 2007, and within two years of January 1, 2007, the engineer demonstrates to the Board that the engineer has sufficient experience in the duties typically provided by a structural engineer regarding significant structures.

Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making powers of an agency.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Fiscal note is available on original bill.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.