SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5638

BYSenator Halsan; by request of Department of Labor and Industries

Revising provisions relating to explosives.

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 2, 1987; March 5, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Warnke, Chairman; Smitherman, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Cantu, Tanner, Vognild, West, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Jean Meyn (786-7472)

                  March 5, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, MARCH 5, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Labor and Industries licenses individuals and businesses who purchase, store, use, or deal with explosives.  Currently, the only licensing requirements are age of 21 and passing a written examination.  The Department requests more enforcement control over applicants and licensees.

SUMMARY:

The Department is authorized to obtain criminal background information on applicants by requiring fingerprints on applications.  Upon inspection of storage facilities and discovery of violations, the licensee may be fined up to $5,000.  In addition to licenses to purchase explosives, other licenses may be revoked.  The Director may set fees by regulation and specific amounts are removed from statute.  Quantity and distance tables that determine structure and location of facilities for manufacture and storage of explosives are removed from statute for determination by the Director.

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Pete Schmidt, Department of Labor and Industries