WSR 97-21-142

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed October 22, 1997, 10:03 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-46 WAC, Safety standards--Installing electric wires and equipment--Administrative rules and chapter 296-401 WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman electricians.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 19.28 RCW, Electricians and electrical installations.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department will propose rule amendments implementing the Governor's Executive Order 97-02. In doing so, it will incorporate certain electrical policies into the WAC code and clear rule writing, chapter 296-401 WAC, Certification of competency for journeyman electricians. The department will propose additional rule amendments based upon staff and external stakeholder recommendations. Finally, the department will propose some new electrical fees, as well as, a general 4.05% increase in existing fees. The 4.05% figure is the maximum fiscal growth rate factor allowed by the Office of Financial Management for fiscal year 1998.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department is the only agency that has jurisdiction over these matters.

Process for Developing New Rule: The proposed rules will be developed based upon recommendations from external stakeholders, department staff and the Electrical Board, as well as, the Administrative Procedure Act public hearing process.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Janet Lewis, Chief Electrical Inspector, phone (360) 902-5249, FAX (360) 902-5292, Department of Labor and Industries, Specialty Compliance Services Division, P.O. Box 44460, Olympia, WA 98504-4460.

October 16, 1997

Gary Moore