Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Commerce & Labor Committee

SSB 5793

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.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection (originally sponsored by Senators Schoesler, Hewitt, Honeyford and Morton).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Exempts certain single-occupancy farm conveyances from inspection, permitting, and other requirements for elevators and conveyances.

Background:

State law establishes various requirements for installing, operating, and performing work on elevators and conveyances. Annual inspections and operating permits are required for most conveyances. Installation or alteration permits are required to perform work on conveyances. Licenses are required for mechanics who work on conveyances and contractors who provide installation, repair, and maintenance services. These requirements do not apply to conveyances that are permanently removed from service or made effectively inoperative, and to certain lifts and hoists erected for use during construction work. These requirements are administered by the Department of Labor and Industries and by the cities of Seattle and Spokane.

Summary of Bill:

Certain single-occupancy farm conveyances are exempt from inspection, permitting, and other requirements for elevators and conveyances. "Single-occupancy farm conveyances" are defined as hand-powered counterweighted single-occupancy conveyances that travel vertically in grain elevators and are located on farms that do not accept commercial grain. These conveyances are exempt only if they are used exclusively by farm operators and their family members.

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