Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Business & Financial Services Committee |
HB 1853
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Modifying the definition of significant structure to allow an engineer to provide structural engineering services on certain structures without being registered as a structural engineer.
Sponsors: Representative Sells.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/15/11
Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).
Background:
A professional engineer is a person who, through professional education and practical experience, possesses special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design. A professional engineer must register with the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (Board) by meeting work experience requirements and passing an additional examination.
Structural engineering is a specialized branch of professional engineering. To receive a certificate of registration in structural engineering, an applicant must meet the registration requirements of professional engineers, have two years of structural engineering experience, and pass an examination.
Legislation enacted in 2007 requires a professional engineer to be registered as a structural engineer to provide structural engineering services for significant structures.
Significant structures are defined as:
hazardous facilities that contain explosive substances that will endanger the public if released;
essential facilities such as hospitals, fire and police stations, structures that hold water or fire suppression materials, emergency vehicle shelters and garages, standby power-generating equipment, government communications centers, aviation control towers, and buildings having critical national defense functions;
structures exceeding 100 feet in height;
buildings of five stories or more;
bridges with a span of more than 200 feet;
piers with a surface area of more than 10,000 square feet; and
buildings where more than 300 people congregate in one area.
The Board had authority to waive the structural engineer requirement until December 31, 2010. The Board could waive the requirement if the engineer was registered as a professional engineer as of January 1, 2007, and had sufficient experience in the duties typically provided by a structural engineer regarding significant structures. After December 31, 2011 the Board no longer had authority to waive the requirements.
Summary of Bill:
The definition of "significant structures" is modified so that structures exceeding 100 feet in height that are nonoccupied telecommunication and broadcast antenna supporting tower structures are not considered significant structures. A professional engineer may perform structural engineering services on these structures without being registered as a structural engineer.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.