HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1487
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Labor & Workplace Standards
Title: An act relating to extending the validity of temporary elevator licenses, expanding membership of the elevator safety advisory committee, allowing homeowners to remove certain conveyances from their residences, and eliminating duplicate paperwork.
Brief Description: Extending the validity of temporary elevator licenses, expanding membership of the elevator safety advisory committee, allowing homeowners to remove certain conveyances from their residences, and eliminating duplicate paperwork.
Sponsors: Representatives Chapman, Chandler and Doglio; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Labor & Workplace Standards: 1/28/19, 1/29/19 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKPLACE STANDARDS |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Sells, Chair; Chapman, Vice Chair; Mosbrucker, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Gregerson, Hoff and Ormsby.
Staff: Joan Elgee (786-7106).
Background:
The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) regulates elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other specified devices, known as conveyances. An entity engaged in the business of performing installations, alterations, maintenance, and other conveyance work must obtain an elevator contractor license from the Department and must also be registered as a general or specialty contractor. Performing work without a required license is a misdemeanor.
With some exceptions, persons performing conveyance work must have an elevator mechanic license. An applicant must have an acceptable combination of experience and education, to include at least three years' experience performing conveyance work, and pass an examination. The Department specifies the required number of education hours for the type of work the applicant will perform.
Temporary elevator mechanic licenses are issued to those certified as qualified and competent by elevator contractors. The Department also requires that a temporary mechanic have at least 75 percent of the education and training hours to obtain a mechanic license. A temporary license is valid for 30 days and may be renewed. To renew a license, a person must complete at least eight hours of continuing education within one year of the renewal.
The Elevator Safety Advisory Committee (Committee) advises the Department on adoption of rules, enforcement and administration of the elevator laws, and matters of concern to stakeholders. The Committee consists of one representative each of elevator contractors, elevator mechanics, owner-employed mechanics exempt from licensing, building owners or managers, architects or professional engineers, and general commercial contractors.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
The licensing requirements do not apply to a homeowner, or a person employed by a homeowner, for permanent removal of a stairway chair lift or a platform lift in a private residence.
The 30-day period for a temporary elevator mechanic license is changed to one year.
The Department may increase the membership of the Committee to two representatives each of elevator contractors, elevator mechanics, owner-employed mechanics exempt from licensing, building owners or managers, and general commercial contractors, but the membership may not exceed nine persons.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill removes provisions relating to submission of permit applications.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill allows homeowners to remove stairway lifts without fear of being charged with a misdemeanor. It also extends the time for the temporary mechanic license. Now, by the time the mechanic receives the temporary license, it is time to renew again. The expansion of the Committee will help achieve a quorum and improve consistency by having all areas of the state represented.
The bill needs a technical amendment to remove Section 1.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Chapman, prime sponsor; and Tammy Fellin and Dotty Stanlaske, Department of Labor and Industries.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.