WSR 97-21-143

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

LABOR AND INDUSTRIES

[Filed October 22, 1997, 10:04 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: 4.05% increase in plumbing (chapter 296-400A WAC), contractor registration (chapter 296-200A WAC) and factory assembled structures (chapters 296-150C, 296-150F, 296-150M, 296-150P and 296-150R WAC) fees.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 18.106 RCW, Plumbers; chapter 18.27 RCW, Registration of contractors; and chapter 43.22 RCW, factory assembled structures.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: A 4.05% fee increase, which is the Office of Financial Management's maximum allowable fiscal growth rate factor for fiscal year 1998, is necessary to maintain the stability of the plumber's fund and the operational effectiveness of the contractor registration and FAS programs. The department will propose new FAS fees for electrical plan review, for the printing and distribution of publications and for altering a manufactured home without a permit. New plumbing fees related to medical gas piping certification may also be proposed.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department is the sole agency charged with setting plumbing, contractor registration and most FAS fees. However, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will review any proposed increase in manufactured home fees.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department will solicit input from the Governor's Advisory Board of Plumbers, the Director's FAS Advisory Board, an ad hoc committee, individual stakeholders, other stakeholder groups and the public hearing process in developing this rule proposal.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kevin Morris, Chief Contractor Compliance/Plumbing Certification Inspector, phone (360) 902-5578, FAX (360) 902-5292, Department of Labor and Industries, Specialty Compliance Services Division, P.O. Box 44470, Olympia, WA 98504-4470; or Dan Wolfenbarger, Chief Factory Assembled Structures Inspector, phone (360) 902-5225, FAX (360) 902-5292, Department of Labor and Industries, Specialty Compliance Services Division, P.O. Box 44440, Olympia, WA 98504-4440.

October 16, 1997

Gary Moore