FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2886

C 198 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning electrical scope of practice.

Sponsors: Representative Manweller.

House Committee on Labor & Workplace Standards

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background:

The electrical laws are administered by the Department of Labor and Industries (Department). The regulatory scheme includes licensure for electrical contractors and certification for electricians. Electricians may be certified as journey level, or as multiple types of specialty electricians. Certification is not required for the telecommunications specialty. Most specialty scopes of work are established in rule. However, three specialty scopes are at least in part in statute. These are:

• Restricted Nonresidential Maintenance (07). This specialty is limited to a maximum of 277 volts/20 amperes for lighting branch circuits or 250 volts/60 amperes for other circuits excluding repair or replacement of circuit breakers;

• Equipment Repair (07E). This specialty involves servicing, maintaining, repairing, or replacing utilization equipment; and

• Telecommunications (09). This scope includes the installation, maintenance, and testing of telecommunications systems, equipment, and related specified work. Telecommunications systems are structured cabling systems that begin at the demarcation point between the local service provider and the customer's premises structured cabling system.

Summary:

The Department may modify the scopes of work for the restricted nonresidential maintenance, equipment specialty, and telecommunications electrical specialties. The Department may specify wiring, appliances, devices, or equipment by rule for the equipment repair and telecommunications specialties. For the nonresidential maintenance specialty, the Department may modify the scope by rule.

Votes on Final Passage: