HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1133
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 Reported by House Committee On:
Local Government
Title: An act relating to limiting the uses of the fire protection contractor license fund.
Brief Description: Limiting the uses of the fire protection contractor license fund.
Sponsors: Representatives Griffey and Appleton.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government: 1/19/17, 1/16/18, 1/18/18 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Appleton, Chair; McBride, Vice Chair; Griffey, Ranking Minority Member; Pike, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gregerson, Peterson and Taylor.
Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).
Background:
Hospital Fire Protection Inspections.
The Chief of the Washington State Patrol, through the Director of Fire Protection (Director), sets and enforces standards for fire protection as they relate to hospitals. Upon receipt of an application for a license to establish, maintain, or conduct a hospital, the Department of Health (DOH) submits a request for an inspection to the Director. The Director then inspects the premises, coinciding with the licensing inspection conducted by the DOH. When a premises does not comply with the required safety standards and fire regulations, the applicant or licensee is required to submit corrections to comply with the standards and regulations. The Director may reinspect a premises if extensive and serious corrections are required. When a premises meets the required standards and regulations, the Director must submit a written report approving the hospital with respect to fire protection before the hospital can be issued a full license. The Director must inspect licensed hospitals on average at least once every 18 months.
Fire Protection Contractor License Fund.
The Director administers licensing and certification requirements, and sets license and certificate fees, for licensed fire protection sprinkler system contractors and fire sprinkler certificate of competency holders. All receipts from license and certificate fees are deposited into the Fire Protection Contractor License Fund. Expenditures from the fund may only be used for:
costs associated with meeting standards for fire protection and its enforcement, with respect to hospital fire protection inspections;
providing assistance in identifying fire sprinkler system components subject to recalls or voluntary replacement programs; and
developing and publishing educational materials related to the effectiveness of residential fire sprinklers.
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Summary of Bill:
The Fire Protection Contractor License Fund may no longer be used to pay for costs associated with hospital fire protection inspections.
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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) This policy is an effort to save the Fire Protection Contractor License Fund. It is a dedicated fund for ongoing training for sprinkler installers. The hospitals are now paying for the inspections, and they are no longer taking money out of the fund. The clean-up bill is necessary so that the fund cannot be raided again.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Griffey, prime sponsor; and Bryan McConahay, Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board of Puget Sound.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.