ESSB 5011 -
By Committee on Commerce & Labor
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The definitions in this section apply
throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
(1) "Authority having jurisdiction" means the local organization,
office, or individual responsible for enforcing the requirements of the
state fire code.
(2) "Director" means the director of fire protection appointed
under RCW 43.43.938.
(3) "Distribute" means to do any of the following:
(a) Sell novelty lighters or deliver novelty lighters for sale by
another person to consumers;
(b) Sell or accept orders for novelty lighters that are to be
transported from a point outside this state to a consumer within this
state;
(c) Buy novelty lighters directly from a manufacturer or wholesale
dealer for resale in this state;
(d) Give novelty lighters as a sample, prize, gift, or other
promotion.
(4) "Manufacturer" means:
(a) An entity that produces, or causes the production of, novelty
lighters for sale in this state;
(b) An importer or first purchaser of novelty lighters that intends
to resell within this state novelty lighters that were produced for
sale outside this state; or
(c) A successor to an entity, importer, or first purchaser
described in (a) or (b) of this subsection.
(5)(a) "Novelty lighter" means a lighter that can operate on any
fuel, including butane or liquid fuel. Novelty lighters have features
that are attractive to children, including but not limited to visual
effects, flashing lights, musical sounds, and toylike designs. The
term considers the shape of the lighter to be the most important
characteristic when determining whether a lighter can be considered a
novelty lighter.
(b) "Novelty lighter" does not include disposable cigarette
lighters or lighters that are printed or decorated with logos, decals,
artwork, or heat shrinkable sleeves.
(6) "Retail dealer" means an entity at one location, other than a
manufacturer or wholesale dealer, that engages in distributing novelty
lighters.
(7) "Sell" means to transfer, or agree to transfer, title or
possession for a monetary or nonmonetary consideration.
(8) "Wholesale dealer" means an entity that distributes novelty
lighters to a retail dealer or other person for resale.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 (1) A person may not distribute or offer to
sell a novelty lighter within this state if the director determines the
novelty lighter is prohibited for sale or distribution under this
chapter.
(2) This section does not apply if the novelty lighters are in
interstate commerce and not intended for distribution in this state.
(3) The authority having jurisdiction shall enforce the provisions
of this chapter.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 (1) The authority having jurisdiction may
impose a civil penalty for a violation of this chapter. The civil
penalty may not exceed:
(a) For a wholesale dealer that distributes or offers to sell
novelty lighters to retail dealers or consumers, a written warning for
the first violation and a monetary penalty of five hundred dollars for
each subsequent violation.
(b) For a retail dealer that distributes or offers to sell novelty
lighters to consumers, a written warning for the first violation and a
monetary penalty of two hundred fifty dollars for each subsequent
violation.
(2) The authority having jurisdiction may bring an action seeking:
(a) Injunctive relief to prevent or end a violation of this
chapter;
(b) To recover civil penalties imposed under subsection (1) of this
section; or
(c) To recover attorneys' fees and other enforcement costs and
disbursements.
(3) Penalties under this section must be deposited in an account
designated by the authority having jurisdiction.
(4) A district court has jurisdiction over all proceedings brought
under this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4 (1) On the effective date of this section,
manufacturers must immediately cease the sale or distribution of
novelty lighters in this state.
(2) On the effective date of this section, wholesalers and retail
dealers have a maximum of ninety days to reduce their current inventory
of novelty lighters. In no instance may wholesalers and retail dealers
sell or distribute a novelty lighter in this state after ninety days
from the effective date of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5 Sections 1 through 4 of this act constitute
a new chapter in Title
Correct the title.
EFFECT: Defines "authority having jurisdiction" as the local
organization, office, or individual responsible for enforcing the
requirements of the state fire code.
Clarifies that the definition of "retail dealer" means an entity at
a single location.
Removes the director of fire protection's authority to enforce the
prohibition and to enter into cooperative enforcement agreements with
local governments.
Authorizes the authority having jurisdiction to enforce the
prohibition and impose civil penalties.
Eliminates the novelty lighter fire safety account.
Requires that penalties be deposited in an appropriate account
designated by the authority having jurisdiction.