FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1756

                         C 157 L 94

                     Synopsis As Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring the use of licensed or certified electricians for certain purposes.

By Representatives Veloria, Brumsickle and Casada.

Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce

Background:  Under Washington law, electrical work must be performed by an electrician who has a certificate of competency from the Department of Labor and Industries unless an exemption applies to the work.  The exemptions include work (1) being done on a person's own residence, farm, place of business, or other property owned by the person, or (2) being performed by the property owner or by employees on the premises of their employer.

Summary:  The exemption from the requirement for a person to obtain a license or a certified electrician to do electrical work on his or her own residence, farm, place of business, or other property owned by the person does not apply if the electrical work is on the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease.  However, if the construction is of a new residential building of up to four units, the owner may obtain an exemption by signing an affidavit that he or she will perform the work and will live in one of the units as a principal residence.  This exemption may not be obtained more than once every two years.

The exemption for work being performed by the property owner or by employees on the premises of their employer does not apply if the electrical work is on the construction of a new building intended for rent, sale, or lease.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96 0

Senate 25 22 (Senate amended)

House            (House refused to concur)

Conference Committee

Senate 28 17

House  96 0

Effective:  June 9, 1994