HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5206

As Reported by House Committee On:

Commerce & Labor

Title:  An act relating to the practice of geology.

Brief Description:  Modifying geologist licensing provisions.

Sponsors:  By Senators Gardner, Prentice, Winsley and Fraser; by request of Department of Licensing.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Commerce & Labor:  3/20/01, 3/30/01 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$The effective dates for licensing of geologists are modified.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Clements, Republican Co‑Chair; Conway, Democratic Co‑Chair; B. Chandler, Republican Vice Chair; Wood, Democratic Vice Chair; Hunt, Kenney, Lisk and McMorris.

Staff:  Sydney Forrester (786‑7120).

Background:

The Legislature enacted the law regulating the profession of geology in 2000.  Provisions of the law include the creation of a Geologist Licensing Board, specific requirements for licensure as a geologist, and penalties for practicing geology without a license.  The effective date of this law is July 1, 2001.

Summary of  Bill:

The effective date is modified into three separate effective dates.  The geologist licensing board and geologists= account are created three months prior to the administration of exams and issuance of licenses.  Geologists are allowed one year in which to complete licensure.  The penalties for practicing without a license go into effect after one year. 

April 1, 2001 is the effective date for creating the geologist licensing board, establishing the geologists= account at the Office of the State Treasurer, and granting the director authority to adopt rules necessary to carry out the provisions of the law.

July 1, 2001 is the effective date for establishing license requirements, administering examinations, issuing certificates, and establishing the criteria and penalties for unprofessional conduct.

July 1, 2002 is the effective date for prescribing penalties for practicing geology without a license.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  Modifying the effective dates will allow the Department of Licensing to implement the law regulating geologists in an orderly fashion.  It will avoid a situation where geologists are put at risk of practicing without a license, and will give the department the ability to adopt rules before the effective date for licensing.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Margaret Epting, Department of Licencing; and Kenneth Neal, Association of Engineering Geologists.