WSR 97-11-052
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[Filed May 20, 1997, 10:51 a.m., effective June 30, 1997]
Date of Adoption: May 20, 1997.
Purpose: Chapter 296-400 WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman plumbers, state-initiated revisions to chapter 296-400 WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman plumbers, were made to comply with RCW 34.05.220(5). Consequently, clear rule-writing techniques were used to rewrite the entire chapter. Following the recommendation of the Office of the Code Reviser, chapter 296-400 WAC was repealed in its entirety and replaced with chapter 296-400A WAC.
Chapter 296-400A WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman plumbers, state-initiated clear rule-writing amendments to chapter 296-400A WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman plumbers were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into new sections in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the rules in a clear rule-writing style, which means:
a. Remove outdated and redundant language to make the rules easier to read.
b. Use questions for section titles to better describe the information contained in each rule section and to better engage the reader.
c. Use a less formal voice in the rules and eliminate the passive voice when possible.
d. Reorganize some rules sections to make them easier to use.
In addition to the clear rule-writing amendments, other state-initiated amendments clarify current department policies and practices, increase plumber fees by 4.45% and increase trainee hours to more closely approach national norms and reciprocal agreements. The 4.45% fee increase figure was obtained from the Office of Financial Management and is the maximum allowable fiscal growth rate factor for fiscal year 1997. All fee increases have been rounded down to the nearest quarter of a dollar. It has been several years since plumbing fees have been increased, therefore, these increases are necessary to help offset increased operating costs in the plumbing program. These state-initiated amendments do establish additional compliance requirements.
Legislative-initiated amendments to chapter 296-400A WAC, Certification of competency of journeyman plumbers, were made to comply with recent amendments to chapter 18.106 RCW. These legislative-initiated amendments do establish additional compliance requirements.
New section WAC 296-400A-005 What definitions do I need to know to understand these rules? Reason for Adopting Rule: Legislative-initiated changes were made to add a definition for medical gas piping systems and to include medical gas piping system in the definition of "plumbing." Both changes are required by HB 1445 (1995).
New section WAC 296-400A-020 How do I obtain a certificate of competency? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into new sections in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the rules in a clear rule-writing style.
Delete the "grandfather clause" relating to the 1973 Plumbers Licensing Act (chapter 175, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess.) because it is outdated and no longer affects the trade.
New section WAC 296-400A-030 Do I need a temporary permit? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated clear rule-writing amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
New section WAC 296-400A-031 How do I qualify for a temporary permit? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated clear rule-writing amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
New section WAC 296-400A-032 How do I obtain a temporary permit? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Clarify the fees that a trainee must pay to obtain a temporary permit.
New section WAC 296-400A-033 What is the duration of a temporary permit? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated clear rule-writing amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
New section WAC 296-400A-035 How can I be placed on inactive status? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Clarify the meaning of "inactive status."
New section WAC 296-400A-045 What fees will I have to pay? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Clarify the reciprocity fee charged by the department.
Increase plumber fees by 4.45% to help offset increased program costs.
New section WAC 296-400A-050 When does the advisory board of plumbers meet? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated clear rule-writing amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
New section WAC 296-400A-070 Can I work as a certified plumber in Washington without taking the Washington state plumbers competency examination? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Clarify the process of reciprocity.
Identify the reciprocity fee charged by the department.
Identify the department's contact person regarding reciprocity questions.
New section WAC 296-400A-100 For certification purposes, how are "years of employment" computed and documented? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Increase trainee hours to levels more in line with national apprenticeship standards.
Maintain reciprocity agreements with other states.
New section WAC 296-400A-110 Does previous work experience count toward my trainee certificate? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated clear rule-writing amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
New section WAC 296-400A-120 What do I need to know about plumber trainee certificates? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Increase trainee hours to levels more in line with national apprenticeship standards.
Maintain reciprocity agreements with other states.
New section WAC 296-400A-121 What do I need to know about trainee experience and plumber examination requirements? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Increase trainee hours to levels more in line with national apprenticeship standards.
Clarify, by referencing RCW 18.106.070(3), when a trainee, working without direct supervision, can take the journeyman plumber examination.
Add subsection (4) which provides a more realistic study timeline for applicants who have failed the competency examination and puts in-state apprentices on an equal footing with out-of-state plumbers moving to Washington by eliminating the mandatory six-month waiting period for reexamination.
New section WAC 296-400A-130 What if I make a false statement or a material misrepresentation on an application, an employment report or a trainee certificate? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated changes were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into a new section in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Increase the employment hours that a trainee may be penalized from a maximum of 1,800 hours to a maximum of 2,000 hours.
New section WAC 296-400A-140 How does the department enforce plumber certification requirements? Reason for Adopting Rule: State-initiated clear rule-writing amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into new sections in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
New section WAC 296-400A-300 What procedures does the department follow when issuing a notice of infraction? Reason for Adopting Rule: Legislative-initiated changes were made to implement ESHB 2626 (1994) which clarifies who the department may cite for an infraction of either chapter 18.106 RCW or chapter 296-400A WAC and the appeal procedures available to the individual who has been cited.
State-initiated amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into new sections in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
New section WAC 296-400A-400 What are the monetary penalties for violating certification requirements? Reason for Adopting Rule: Legislative-initiated new rule implements ESHB 2626 (1994) which authorizes the department to establish a schedule of penalties for plumbing infractions.
State-initiated amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into new sections in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
New section WAC 296-400A-425 What if I owe outstanding penalties related to a department issued plumber infraction? Reason for Adopting Rule: Legislative-initiated new rule implements SHB 2498 (1996) which allows the department to deny renewing plumbing certificates if the holder owes the department infraction penalties.
State-initiated amendments were made to:
Move existing chapter 296-400 WAC requirements into new sections in chapter 296-400A WAC.
Rewrite the section in a clear rule-writing style.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing chapter 296-400 WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman plumbers, WAC 296-400-005 Definitions, 296-400-020 Plumbers with license or practicing the plumbing trade at effective date of the act, 296-400-030 Issuing of temporary certificate, 296-400-035 Inactive status, 296-400-045 Plumber examination, certification, reinstatement, and temporary permit fees, 296-400-050 Meetings of governor's advisory board, 296-400-070 Reciprocity, 296-400-100 Computation of years of employment, 296-400-110 Previous experience credit, 296-400-120 Plumber trainee certificates, 296-400-130 Penalties for false statements or material misrepresentation, 296-400-140 Enforcement, and 296-400-300 Procedures for notices of infraction.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.106.050, [18.106.]070, [18.106.]110, [18.106.]125, [18.106.]140, and [18.106.]270.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 97-03-084 on January 15, 1997.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 2, amended 2, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 19, amended 0, repealed 13.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 19, amended 0, repealed 13.
Effective Date of Rule: June 30, 1997.
May 16, 1997
Gary Moore
Director
by M. Watson
REPEALER
The following chapter of the Washington Administrative Code is
repealed:
WAC 296-400-005 Definitions.
WAC 296-400-020 Plumbers with license or practicing the plumbing trade at effective date of the act.
WAC 296-400-030 Issuing of temporary certificate.
WAC 296-400-035 Inactive status.
WAC 296-400-045 Plumber examination, certification, reinstatement, and temporary permit fees.
WAC 296-400-050 Meetings of governor's advisory board.
WAC 296-400-070 Reciprocity.
WAC 296-400-100 Computation of years of employment.
WAC 296-400-110 Previous experience credit.
WAC 296-400-120 Plumber trainee certificates.
WAC 296-400-130 Penalties for false statements or material misrepresentation.
WAC 296-400-140 Enforcement.
WAC 296-400-300 Procedures for notices of infraction.
CERTIFICATION OF COMPETENCY FOR JOURNEYMAN PLUMBERS
NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-005 What definitions do I need to know to understand these rules? Unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context, the following terms and definitions are important:
"Advisory board" is the state advisory board of plumbers.
"Department" is the department of labor and industries.
"Director" is the director of the department of labor and industries.
"Journeyman plumber" is anyone who has learned the commercial plumbing trade and has been issued a journeyman certificate of competency by the department. A journeyman plumber may work on plumbing projects including residential, commercial and industrial worksite locations.
"Medical gas piping systems" are piping systems that convey or involve oxygen, nitrous oxide, high pressure nitrogen, medical compressed air and medical vacuum systems.
"Plumbing" is that craft involved in installing, altering, repairing and renovating potable water systems, liquid waste systems and medical gas piping systems within a building. The installation of water softening or water treatment equipment into a water system is not considered plumbing.
"Specialty plumber" is anyone who has been issued a specialty plumbers certificate of competency by the department. Specialty plumber certificates are limited to the installation, maintenance and repair of plumbing for single-family dwellings, duplexes and apartment buildings which do not exceed three stories.
"Trainee plumber" is anyone who has been issued a trainee
certificate and is learning or being trained in the plumbing trade with
direct supervision of either a journeyman plumber or specialty plumber
working in their specialty.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-020 How do I obtain a certificate of competency? You can obtain a certificate of competency by completing the following requirements:
(1) Submitting a competency examination application to the department; and
(2) Paying the examination fee shown in WAC 296-400A-045; and
(3) Submitting the required evidence of competency and experience to the department; and
(4) Passing the competency examination.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-030 Do I need a temporary permit? If you are an out-of-state journeyman residing in a state that does not have a reciprocal
agreement with Washington and you would like to work as a plumber in
Washington, you need a temporary permit.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-031 How do I qualify for a temporary permit? To qualify for a temporary permit, you must:
(1) Have a state-issued journeyman plumbers certificate; and
(2) Give the department sufficient qualifying evidence for a journeyman plumber certificate of competency; and
(3) Never have taken the journeyman competency examination in Washington state; and
(4) Not be an apprentice plumber.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-032 How do I obtain a temporary permit? If you
qualify, you can obtain a temporary permit by applying to the department
and paying both the examination application fee and the temporary permit
fee shown in WAC 296-400A-045.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-033 What is the duration of a temporary permit? A
temporary permit is valid for ninety days and is nonrenewable.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-035 How can I be placed on inactive status? To be placed on inactive status, you must meet these three requirements:
(1) Be a currently registered plumber; and
(2) Be at least sixty-two years of age; and
(3) Not be working in the plumbing trade.
Inactive status means that you are not currently working in the
plumbing trade and you are not required to pay the annual certificate
renewal fee. You may return to active status, without reexamination, by
paying the reinstatement of a journeyman certificate fee shown in WAC
296-400A-045.
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[Open Style:Columns Off]
NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-045 What fees will I have to pay? The following are
the department's plumbers fees:
Type of Fee Period Covered by Fee Dollar Amount of Fee
Examination application Per examination $104.25
Reciprocity application Per application $104.25
Trainee certificate* One year $31.25
Trainee certificate Less than one year $3.00 per month with a minimum fee of $20.75
Temporary permit 90 days $52.00
Journeyman or specialty certificate** Two years $83.50
Journeyman or specialty certificate Less than two years $3.50 per month with a minimum fee of $31.25
Reinstatement of a journeyman certificate $167.00
Replacement of all certificates $31.25
* The trainee certificate shall expire one year from the date of issuance and be renewed on or before the date of expiration.
** This fee applies to either the original issuance or a renewal of a certificate. If you have passed the plumbers certificate of competency examination and paid the
certificate fee, you will be issued a certificate of competency that will expire on your birthdate.
[Open Style:Columns On]
If your birth year is:
(1) In an even-numbered year, your certificate will expire on your birthdate in the next even-numbered year.
(2) In an odd-numbered year, your certificate will expire on your
birthdate in the next odd-numbered year.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-050 When does the advisory board of plumbers meet?
The advisory board of plumbers meets every quarter on the third Tuesday
of January, April, July and October.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-070 Can I work as a certified plumber in Washington without taking the Washington state plumbers competency examination? You may be eligible to work in Washington state without taking an examination if:
(1) You have a current plumbers certificate or license from another state; and
(2) That state has a current reciprocal agreement with the department of labor and industries; and
(3) You pay the reciprocity application fee and journeyman or specialty certificate fee shown in WAC 296-400A-045.
The director of labor and industries negotiates reciprocal agreements with states that have equivalent requirements for certification and licensing of journeyman and specialty plumbers. The agreement allows plumbers from those states to work in Washington and Washington-registered plumbers to work in the other state without taking competency examinations. To find out if your state has an agreement with the department, contact the plumber's certification clerk at the department's Tumwater, WA headquarters.
Reciprocity agreements cannot be used to take the Washington state
competency examination instead of the examination in your home state.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-100 For certification purposes, how are "years of employment" computed and documented? (1) For certification purposes, 2,000 hours of employment is considered one year. See RCW 18.106.070(2).
(2) When you renew your certificate, you must document your previous years' plumbing work by accurately completing the department's approved form and submitting it to the department.
(3) If you have completed a one, two, three, four or more years
plumbing construction trainee program, you must have the necessary
training hours for the year in which you are registered. See RCW
18.106.040.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-110 Does previous work experience count toward my
trainee certificate? If your work experience was in plumbing
construction, you will be given credit for all verifiable hours that are
properly submitted on the department's approved form. (Refer to the
definition of "plumbing" in WAC 296-400A-005.)
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-120 What do I need to know about plumber trainee
certificates? (1) The department issues separate trainee certificates
according to the following schedule:
Certificate Year Hours Employed As Plumber Trainee
First Less than 2,000 hours
Second More than 1,999 hours
but less than 4,000 hours
Third More than 3,999 hours but less than
6,000 hours
Fourth More than 5,999 hours
(2) You may apply for the next year's trainee certificate whenever you have the required documented work hours.
(3) You cannot be issued a training certificate for more than eight years unless the department determines that there are extenuating circumstances.
(4) If you are a trainee applying for a journeyman certificate, you must complete a minimum of two of the required four years commercial plumbing experience.
(5) A certified specialty plumber working on a commercial job site may work as a journeyman trainee only if they have a current trainee certificate on their person while performing commercial plumbing work.
(6) On a job site, the ratio of certified plumbers to noncertified plumbers must be:
(a) One specialty plumber or journeyman working on a specialty plumbing job may supervise no more than two trainees.
(b) One journeyman plumber working on a commercial job may supervise
no more than one trainee.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-121 What do I need to know about trainee experience and plumber examination requirements? (1) If you possess a trainee certificate:
(a) You may take the specialty plumber examination after completing 6,000 hours of documented training.
(b) You may take the journeyman examination after completing 8,000 hours of documented training which must include 4,000 hours of commercial plumbing experience.
(2) All journeyman trainees must work under the direct supervision of a journeyman plumber until they have completed 7,500 hours of training. After completing the 7,500 supervised hours, a trainee may work without direct supervision until they complete 8,000 hours. (See RCW 18.106.070(3).)
When 8,000 training hours have been completed, the trainee must take the journeyman examination. Any trainee who has failed the journeyman plumber examination cannot retake the examination for at least one month and must work under the direct supervision of a journeyman plumber until the examination is passed.
(3) To be eligible for the specialty plumber's examination, a specialty trainee must complete 6,000 hours of training under the direct supervision of either a certified specialty plumber or a journeyman plumber. Any specialty trainee who has failed the specialty examination, cannot retake the examination for at least one month and must work under the direct supervision of a certified plumber until the examination is passed.
(4) Any applicant (trainee, specialty plumber or journeyman) who
fails an examination, will be required to wait at least one month before
retaking the examination. If an applicant fails the second attempt, the
waiting period for reexamination will be extended to at least two months.
An applicant who fails the examination a third time will have a mandatory
waiting period of at least four months.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-130 What if I make a false statement or a material misrepresentation on an application, an employment report or a trainee certificate? (1) All required applications and annual statements of employment hours are made under oath. Making false statements and/or material misrepresentations carry serious consequences. Any person who knowingly makes a false statement or material misrepresentation on an application, an affidavit of experience or a trainee certificate may be referred to the county prosecutor for criminal prosecution. In addition, the department may subtract a maximum of 2,000 employment hours from a trainee's acceptable total hours.
(2) The department's decisions, under this section, can be appealed
to the advisory board. The appeal hearing will be conducted according
to the appropriate provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-140 How does the department enforce plumbers certification requirements? The department enforces plumber certification requirements by means of job-site inspections conducted by department compliance inspectors. The inspector must determine whether:
(1) Each person doing plumbing work has a proper certificate on their person; and
(2) The ratio of certified specialty and/or journeyman plumbers to certified trainees is correct; and
(3) That each certified trainee is directly supervised by either a
certified specialty plumber or a certified journeyman.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-300 What procedures does the department follow when issuing a notice of infraction? (1) If a compliance inspector determines that an individual has violated plumber certification requirements, the department must issue a notice of infraction describing the reasons for the citation.
(2) The department may issue a notice of infraction to either:
(a) An individual who is plumbing without a current plumber certificate; or
(b) The employer of the individual who is plumbing without a current plumber certificate; or
(c) The employer's authorizing agent or foreman that made the work assignment to the individual who is plumbing without a current plumber certificate.
(3) An individual may appeal a notice of infraction by complying with the appropriate provisions of RCW 18.106.220.
(4) If good cause is shown, an administrative law judge may waive, reduce or suspend any monetary penalties resulting from the citation.
(5) Any monetary penalties collected under this chapter, must be
deposited in the plumbing certificate fund.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-400 What are the monetary penalties for violating
certification requirements? (1) A person cited for an infraction under
RCW 18.106.020 (3)(a), (b) or (c) must be assessed a monetary penalty
based upon the following schedule:
First Infraction $250.00
Second Infraction $500.00
Third Infraction $750.00
Fourth Infraction Not more than $1,000.00
(2) Each day a person is in violation must be considered a separate infraction.
(3) Each job site at which a person is in violation must be
considered a separate infraction.
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NEW SECTION
WAC 296-400A-425 What if I owe outstanding penalties related to a department issued plumber infraction? The department may deny renewal of your certificate of competency if you owe outstanding penalties. The department must notify you of their denial by registered mail, return receipt requested. This notice of denial will be mailed to the address on your application.
Upon receipt of the notice, you have twenty days to file a notice of appeal with the department. Your notice of appeal must be accompanied by a certified check for two hundred dollars. This amount will be returned to you if the department's decision is not upheld by the hearings officer. If the hearings officer upholds the department's decision, the two hundred dollars must be applied to the cost of the hearing.
The office of administrative hearings shall conduct the hearing
under chapter 34.05 RCW.
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