HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1132

                       As Passed House

                      January 24, 1994

Title:  An act relating to the sale of electrical equipment.

Brief Description:  Requiring certification of electric spa equipment.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kremen, Linville and Zellinsky.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, February 3, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, February 17, 1993, 93-0;

  Passed House, January 24, 1994, 91-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 9 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; Horn; King; Springer; and Veloria.

Staff:  Chris Cordes (786-7117).

Background:  Since 1986, each piece of electrical equipment associated with spas, hot tubs, swimming pools, and hydromassage bathtubs has been required to bear a certification mark from an approved electrical products testing laboratory.  There is no requirement that a complete unit - the tub and its electrical equipment - be certified as a unit before offering the unit for sale.

Summary of Bill:  Hydromassage bathtubs may not be offered for sale or exchange unless the complete unit, the tub and the electrical equipment, is certified by an approved electrical products testing laboratory.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This is a consumer protection bill.  A hydromassage tub can be tested for problems related to flow if it is tested as a unit.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:   Representative Pete Kremen, prime sponsor; and Ralph Rodenberg.