SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5340

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.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Keiser, Baumgartner and Conway; by request of Department of Labor & Industries).

Committee Activity: Commerce, Labor & Sports: 2/15/17, 2/16/17 [DP-WM].

Ways & Means: 2/22/17, 2/24/17 [DPS, w/oRec].

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) to issue Class B elevator work permits for the performance of Class B elevator work without the requirement of a witness inspection of the equipment before it is placed into operation.

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Baumgartner, Chair; Braun, Vice Chair; Keiser, Ranking Minority Member; Conway, Hasegawa, King, Rossi, Saldaña and Wilson.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5340 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Braun, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Vice Chair, Capital Budget ; Ranker, Ranking Minority Member; Rolfes, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Operating Budget; Frockt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member, Capital Budget; Bailey, Becker, Billig, Darneille, Fain, Keiser, Miloscia, Pedersen, Rivers, Schoesler, Warnick and Zeiger.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.

Signed by Senators Conway and Hasegawa.

Background: L&I administers and enforces state laws regarding installation, operation, inspection, and repair of conveyances. Examples of conveyances include elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, stairway chair lifts, and moving walkways. In general, owners must obtain permits from L&I before conveyances are built, installed, moved, or altered. Conveyances must also have operating permits and are subject to safety inspections by L&I.

In general, conveyance work must be performed by a licensed elevator contractor employing a licensed elevator mechanic. The elevator contractor must notify L&I before completion of the work and subject the new, relocated, or altered portions of the conveyance to testing, and L&I must inspect the conveyance.

Summary of First Substitute Bill: L&I may issue Class B elevator work permits for the performance of Class B elevator work without the requirement of a witness inspection of the equipment before it is placed into operation.

Class B elevator work means:

minor alterations; or
installations of private residential stairway chair lifts.

Class B alterations must be done by a licensed elevator mechanic. The department may require a licensed elevator contractor to demonstrate competency to maintain eligibility to purchase Class B permits. L&I is required to inspect Class B work on a random basis.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill (Commerce, Labor & Sports): PRO: The bill allows for more efficient administration of the elevator program, which will allow L&I to focus on more hazardous conveyances rather than minor projects.

Persons Testifying (Commerce, Labor & Sports): PRO: Senator Karen Keiser, Prime Sponsor; Tammy Fellin, Labor & Industries; Tom McBride, National Elevator Industry, Inc.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute (Ways & Means): PRO: This bill preserves public safety while providing relief to building owners who make minor alterations to elevators. The cost associated with this bill would go toward replacing a system that an audit found did not have sufficient data to support the program. This brings Washington's elevator code more in line with national standards. This will allow L&I to streamline their testing process and to allocate limited resources to life/safety work and the annual inspection process.

OTHER: The intent of the bill is good, but the language needs to be updated.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Tammy Fellin, Labor & Industries; Tom McBride, National Elevator Industry, Inc.. OTHER: Eldon Nickens, Business Rep. IUEC Local 19.