HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1756

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to exemptions from RCW 19.28.510 through 19.28.620.

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

Sponsors:  Representatives Veloria, Brumsickle and Casada.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Commerce & Labor, March 3, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 11, 1993, 97-0;

  Passed House, January 28, 1994, 96-0;

  Amended by Senate;

Conference Committee Report adopted,

Passed Legislature, March 9, 1994, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Heavey, Chair; G. Cole, Vice Chair; Lisk, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Conway; King; Springer; and Veloria.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Horn.

Staff:  Chris Cordes (786-7117).

Background:  Under Washington law, electrical work must be performed by electricians who have 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 employees on the premises of their employer.

Summary of Bill:  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 unless 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 a unit 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.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The electrical licensing law has a loophole that allows builders to circumvent the licensing requirements.  The Department of Labor and Industries should be able to require the same electrical standards for all buildings offered for sale.  If the builder intends to sell the project, then consumer safety is a priority issue.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Larry Stevens, National Electrical Contractors; Joe Brewer, Department of Labor and Industries; and Jordy Andrews, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.