Title: An act relating to regulating the business of installing pumps in potable water and wastewater systems for domestic or commercial use.

Brief Description: Regulating pump installers.

Sponsors: Senators Honeyford, Sheldon, McCaslin and Hargrove.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/24/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Staff: John Dziedzic (786-7784)

Background: A person engaged in the business of working on pumps for potable water or waste water systems is subject to regulation under a number of statutes, and must be: (1) registered as a general contractor or the applicable specialty contractor or contractors with the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) under RCW 18.27; (2) licensed as a journeyman or specialty plumber by L&I under RCW 18.106 to install, alter, repair, or renovate a water system (not including water softening or water treatment equipment) or liquid waste systems, if the plumbing work is done within a building other than a pump house; (3) licensed as a specialty, journeyman or master journeyman electrician and, if applicable, an electrician administrator's certificate, to install or maintain electrical wires and equipment; and (4) licensed by the Department of Ecology (DOE) under RCW 18.104 if the work involves drilling or constructing new wells, or the alteration of an existing well. DOE has additional responsibilities regarding the protection of groundwater from pollution. The Department of Health also regulates and certifies operators of water systems serving more than one residence under RCW 70.119 and RCW 70.119A.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The definition of plumbing is amended to include persons engaged in the business of installing pumps in residential or domestic settings, regardless of location.

A voluntary endorsement classification system is established as part the contractor registration process. The system coordinates existing plumbing and electrical qualification, training, continuing education, bonding requirements and disciplinary processes applicable to the defined scope of potable and waste water system pump work.

The scope of work authorized under the endorsement is limited to installing, maintaining, and repairing the pressurization and filtration equipment contained within a single space in non-municipal or non-publicly-run water and waste water systems, where electrical and plumbing systems have been installed by certified electricians and plumbers, respectively.

An advisory board, including members of the affected industry, electrical board, and plumbing advisory board is established to assist L&I in establishing and reviewing qualifications of applicants, adopting rules, and administering competency examinations and disciplinary processes.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 18, 2005.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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