WSR 98-06-043

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed February 27, 1998, 11:17 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-400A WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman plumbers.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.106.140.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule amendments are necessary to implement SSB 5749 (1997) which created a medical gas piping installer endorsement that can be attached to a journeyman plumber certification. The department will review the chapter and collect ideas from stakeholders and determine if any other amendments are needed.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: This subject is solely regulated by the Department of Labor and Industries. No other state or federal agencies are involved.

Process for Developing New Rule: The person primarily responsible for developing this rule is the department's chief contractor compliance/plumbing certification inspector with major input from plumbing stakeholders and the governor's Advisory Board of Plumbers. The department has relied heavily upon an ad hoc plumbing committee to develop medical gas rule language.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kevin Morris, Chief Contractor Compliance, Plumbing Certification Inspector, phone (360) 902-5578, FAX (360) 902-5292, Department of Labor and Industries, Specialty Compliance Services Division, P.O. Box 44470, Olympia, WA 98504-4470.

February 25, 1998

Gary Moore