HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1117

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Patrick, Wang, Winsley, Baugher, Todd, Allen, R. King, Fisch, Fisher, Cole and Basich

Requiring state certification of sheet metal workers.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Wang, Chair; Cole, Vice Chair; Fisch, Fisher, R. King, Patrick, Sanders, Sayan, C. Smith and Walker.

House Staff:Chris Cordes (786-7117)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR MARCH 4, 1987

BACKGROUND:

State licensing or certification requirements have been established for trades such as electrical installation, plumbing and construction contracting.  The state does not regulate persons engaged in the sheet metal work trade. 

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  "Sheet metal work" is defined as the craft involved in the manufacture, installation or repair of ferrous or nonferrous metal work, including materials used in the place of metal, and of all air handling systems.

Engaging in the sheet metal work trade is prohibited without a journeyman or specialty certificate of competency, a temporary permit, or being supervised by a person with a certificate of competency.  An employer may not hire a person in the sheet metal work trade who does not have one of the required certificates or permits. Each day of violation and each violation at a work site is a separate infraction.

To be issued a certificate of competency, an applicant must:  a) present evidence to the Department of Labor and Industries of sufficient experience and demonstrated competency in the trade; b) pass a written examination; and c) pay a fee.  To be eligible to take the examination, the applicant must have completed a course of study or have four or more years of practical experience.

The certificate may be renewed every other year.  Temporary permits are allowed for out-of-state sheet metal workers who have applied for a Washington certificate of competency.  Procedures are established for revoking a certificate of competency.

An examination is not required of an applicant who, as of the effective date of the act, was engaged in a bona fide business or trade of sheet metal work.  The department is authorized to grant certificates without examination to applicants who hold certification from another state under standards substantially equivalent to the requirements of the act.

Training certificates are authorized for persons who are in an apprenticeship program or are learning the sheet metal work trade. The ratio of certified journeymen or specialty sheet metal workers to apprentices and trainees for supervision is specified.

A sheet metal worker advisory board is created with three members: 1)  a journeyman sheet metal worker; (2)  a person conducting a sheet metal business; and (3)  a member of the public who is familiar with the business and trade of sheet metal work.

All costs of administering the act are to be paid through fees charged for certification and examinations.

An exemption is provided for sheet metal work done at the person's residence, farm, or place of business.  Requirements of sheet metal work codes enacted by local governments are not abrogated, so long as no other license or fee is required of persons engaging in the trade.

The department is authorized to investigate violations and inspect worksites.  Procedures are established for issuing notices of infractions and determining infractions.  Each infraction is subject to a monetary penalty of $100.

The act does not authorize work that is governed by statutes that define and license electrical installations or pipe fitting installations.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The substitute bill adds training certificates as one of the certificates or permits under which a person must be qualified to be hired to perform sheet metal work. A new section is added that provides for training certificates for persons who are in an apprenticeship program or are learning the sheet metal work trade.  The ratio of certified journeymen or specialty sheet metal workers to apprentices and trainees for supervision is specified.

A technical correction is made to change the date on which grandfathering is allowed for persons engaged in the sheet metal work trade.

A provision is added to clarify that the act does not authorize work that is governed by statutes that define and license electrical installations or pipe fitting installations.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Jerry Kinsley, Sheet Metal Workers Council; Gaye Schmidt-Larimer; and Will Houson.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Requiring persons performing work in the sheet metal trade to be properly trained and qualified in the field will protect the public from unsafe and inefficient sheet metal work.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.