SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5471

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 Passed Senate, February 13, 2019

Title: An act relating to extending the validity of temporary elevator licenses, expanding membership of the elevator safety advisory committee, and allowing homeowners to remove certain conveyances from their residences.

Brief Description: Extending the validity of temporary elevator licenses, expanding membership of the elevator safety advisory committee, and allowing homeowners to remove certain conveyances from their residences.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Labor & Commerce (originally sponsored by Senators King and Keiser; by request of Department of Labor & Industries).

Committee Activity: Labor & Commerce: 1/24/19, 1/29/19 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 2/13/19, 47-0.

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

Increases the number of members on the Elevator Safety Advisory Committee from seven to a maximum of nine members.
Changes the 30-day period for a temporary elevator mechanic license to one year.
Authorizes homeowners to permanently remove a stairway chair lift or platform lift located in a private residence without an elevator mechanic license.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & COMMERCE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5471 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Conway, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Braun, Saldaña, Walsh and Wellman.

Staff: Jarrett Sacks (786-7448)

Background: Elevator Licensing and Permits. The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) regulates elevators, escalators, moving walks, and other specified devices, known as conveyances. In general, the law requires elevator contractors to obtain permits from L&I before conveyances are installed, moved, or altered.

With some exceptions, persons performing conveyance work must obtain a elevator mechanic license. An applicant must have an acceptable combination of experience and education, which must include not less than three years' experience performing conveyance work, and pass an examination.

Temporary elevator mechanic licenses are issued to those certified as qualified and competent by elevator contractors. L&I also requires that a temporary mechanic also 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.

Elevator Safety Advisory Committee. The Elevator Safety Advisory Committee advises L&I on the adoption of rules that apply to conveyances, methods of enforcing and administering the laws related to conveyances, and matters of concern to the conveyance industry. The advisory committee consists of seven members appointed by the director of L&I. The membership consists of:

one representative of licensed elevator contractors;
one representative of elevator mechanics licensed to perform all types of conveyance work;
one representative of owner-employed mechanics;
a registered architect or professional engineer representative;
a building owner or manager representative;
a registered general commercial contractor representative; and
one ad hoc member representing a municipality maintaining jurisdiction of conveyances

Summary of First Substitute Bill: Elevator Safety Advisory Committee. The number of members on the advisory committee is changed from seven members to a maximum of nine members. In addition to the one member required by statute, L&I has the discretion to add a second representative to the advisory committee for the following groups:

licensed elevator contractors;
elevator mechanics licensed to perform all types of conveyance work;
owner-employed mechanics;
building owners or manager representatives; and
general commercial contractors.

Temporary Elevator Licenses. The length of time a temporary elevator mechanic license is valid is changed from 30 days to one year.

Stairway Chair Lifts. Homeowners, or persons employed by homeowners, may permanently remove a stairway chair lift or platform lift located in a private residence without an elevator mechanic license.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: Currently, homeowners have to hire an elevator mechanic to remove stairway chair lifts, which acts as a disincentive. The bill will assist homeowners who are trying to do the right thing. Increasing the length of time a temporary license is valid will reduce the burden on staff and the people having to renew the license. Expanding the membership on the advisory committee will allow L&I to bring certain cities to the table when making decisions so everyone is on the same page.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Curtis King, Prime Sponsor; Dotty Stanlaske, L&I; Tammy Fellin, L&I.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.