Legislative Hearings for the Week of Feb. 22, 2010

Steve Goldblatt, recently retired, longtime University of Washington Construction Management faculty member specializing in design and construction law, has been covering the legislative scene in Olympia for more than 25 years.

I've invited Steve to contribute a series of guest blog posts on bills under consideration in the Washington State Legislature relating to public works and contracting, architects/engineers, and contractors. 

In this entry, Steve summarizes bills that will receive a hearing in Olympia for the week of February 22, 2010, and which have all passed at least one house this year.

Wastewater Treatment Systems Designers: SHB 2589 would modify licensing provisions for on-site wastewater treatment systems designers (Chapter 18.210 RCW), including experience and experience verification requirements. This substitute bill passed out of the House two weeks ago, 95-2. Hearing on Monday, February 22, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Electrical Trainee Classroom Training: SHB 2546 would require electrical apprentices and trainees to take 48 hours of approved classroom training biennially (RCW 19.28.161). This substitute bill passed out of the House two weeks ago, 58-37. Hearing on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce and Consumer Protection.

L&I Electrical Subpoenas: SHB 2555 would authorize Labor and Industries to issue subpoenas to enforce Chapter 19.28 RCW. This substitute bill passed out of the House two weeks ago, 96-0. Hearing on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Underground Economy Subpoenas: SHB 2789 would authorize subpoenas for investigations of underground economic activities by Labor and Industries (RCW 51.04.040), Employment Security (RCW 50.12.130), and Revenue (Chapter 82.32 RCW). This substitute bill passed out of the House a week ago, 98-0. Hearing on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Off-Site Prefabrication: EHB 2805 would require—on public works projects estimated to cost over $1 million—contractors to submit lists of specified information regarding certain prefabricated items produced outside WA to the awarding agency and General Administration  (Chapter 39.04 RCW). This engrossed bill passed out of the House a week ago, 54-43, after a striking amendment removed the requirement to submit certified payroll records, the prevailing wage penalties, and the enforcement authority of Labor and Industries. The more prescriptive version of the bill (EHB 1836) was defeated in the Senate last session when it failed to receive the necessary majority by a single vote. Hearing on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Labor and Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Capital Assets Inventory: HB 2848 would repeal the requirement (RCW 36.32.210) for county commissioners to annually submit an inventory of all capitalized assets to the county auditor. This bill passed out of the House two weeks ago, 96-0. Hearing on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Committee on Government Operations and Elections.