FINAL BILL REPORT

                 EHB 2555

                         C 250 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Modifying licensing and inspection of transient accommodations.

By Representative Heavey; by request of Department of Health.

House Committee on Commerce & Labor

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Background:  "Transient accommodations" which include hotels, motels, resorts, youth hostels and shelters are licensed by the Department of Health.  Licenses may be issued anytime during the year; however, all licenses expire on January 1.  License renewal applications must be made no later than 30 days before the license expires.  An annual fee is assessed to cover the application process.

Before a license may be issued or renewed, buildings being used as transient accommodations must be inspected by the Department of Health.  A fee is charged for each inspection.  The director of the Department of Community Development, through the director of fire protection, establishes and enforces fire and life safety rules and regulations for transient accommodations.

Transient accommodation licenses may be suspended or revoked when the person operating a transient accommodation fails or refuses to comply with rules established by the Department of Health.

Summary:  Technical revisions are made replacing references to "hotels and motels" licensing with "transient accommodation" licensing.

The number of facilities inspected each year is reduced from all facilities to at least 10 percent of the facilities.  Each new facility will be inspected.  The Department of Health will develop and use survey methods which will encourage persons operating transient accommodations to self-inspect and comply with the licensing rules.  The reduction in inspections and the provision requiring the department to develop and use survey methods will apply only until June 1997, pending a favorable report from the department by December 1, 1996, and reenactment of legislation continuing these practices.

The annual license period is the period from the date of issuance rather than from January 1 to December 31.  To receive an initial license, the licensee must file an application with the department at least 60 days before the business opens.  To renew a license, the licensee must file an application with the department at least 30 days before the license expires.

The department is to establish a single fee to cover the cost of licensure and enforcement activities.

The department is authorized to impose civil fines in lieu of or in addition to revocation or suspension of a license.

The director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development continues to have the power to establish fire and safety rules for transient accommodations, but these rules will be enforced by local fire authorities.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96 0

Senate 48 0 (Senate amended)

House  95 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  June 9, 1994