HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2886
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 electrical scope of practice.
Brief Description: Concerning electrical scope of practice.
Sponsors: Representative Manweller.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor & Workplace Standards: 2/2/16, 2/4/16 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/16/16, 97-1.
Passed Senate: 3/2/16, 47-1.
Passed Legislature.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKPLACE STANDARDS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Gregerson, Vice Chair; Manweller, Ranking Minority Member; McCabe, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Moeller and Ormsby.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
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 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 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 of Bill:
The Department may modify the scopes of work for the restricted nonresidential maintenance, equipment repair 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.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The bill is a result of a three-year conversation about the scopes that trip people up through no fault of their own because of changes in technology. Examples are the telecom bill, the load bank bill, and the ADT Security bill. The Department does not have authority to fix all these issues because some scopes are so narrowly defined. This bill will give the Department the authority and the Legislature will not have to deal with these small issues.
(Opposed) None.
(Other) It is of concern that the Electrical Board would not be involved in the rules.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Manweller, prime sponsor.
(Other) Larry Stevens, National Electrical Contractors Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.