Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Consumer Protection & Business Committee

HB 2833

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: Concerning the board of engineers and land surveyors' appointment of its director and agreement with the department of licensing.

Sponsors: Representative Hoff.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Transfers authority to appoint the Director of the Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (Board) to the Board.

  • Modifies the support and services provided to the Board by the Department of Licensing.

Hearing Date: 1/31/20

Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).

Background:

The Board is a state agency that licenses and regulates professional engineers, land surveyors, and on-site wastewater system designers. The Board consists of seven members, five professional engineers and two land surveyors, appointed by the Governor. Board members serve five-year terms and may not serve for more than two consecutive terms.

The Governor also appoints an Executive Director of the Board. The Executive Director must hold a valid Washington license as a professional engineer or professional land surveyor.

The Board is responsible for setting fees for applications, examinations, licenses, registrations, and renewals. Fees set by the Board must be at a level adequate to pay the Board's administration costs. The Department of Licensing (Department), through an interagency agreement, must provide specified administrative staff support and associated technical services, materials, and equipment to the Board.

Summary of Bill:

Authority to appoint the Director of the Board is transferred to the Board.

The Department is no longer required to provide administrative staff support, materials, and equipment to the Board.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 25, 2020.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.