Labor & Industries proposes fee increase for building services
TUMWATER - The Department of Labor & Industries today proposed a 4.18 percent fee increase that, if approved, would apply to most of its inspection, permitting, licensing and certification services within the building and construction industry.
Several new fees are also proposed.
The proposed fee increases are necessary to help offset inflation and would enable the programs to maintain operational effectiveness.
The proposed increases and new fees would take effect June 28, 1999.
The first public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 11 at Cavanaugh's at Yakima Center, 607 E. Yakima Ave., Yakima. A second public hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. May 14 in the auditorium of the Labor & Industries Building, 7273 Linderson Way, Tumwater.
The fee increase proposal covers services the department performs in the programs for electrical, elevator and contractor registration. The proposal also applies to the program for factory-assembled structures, such as manufactured homes and recreational vehicles.
The proposed fee increases are in compliance with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) guidelines. OFM oversees budgets for state agencies, and set 4.18 percent as the maximum allowable growth rate for fiscal year 1999.
Several administrative rule changes are being proposed for state electrical inspection regulations to consolidate, clarify and add definitions to current rules to improve readability. Two new lower fees are proposed for certain inspections where the higher fees were not appropriate.
In addition to the proposed increases to elevator permit and inspection fees, new fees are proposed for annual operating permits for personnel lifts in grain elevators.
In addition to the proposed increases to factory-assembled structure plan review and inspection fees, the program is proposing to add medical gas plan review fees to cover inspections required by the State Building Code.
Full copies of the proposed changes can be obtained by calling:
Elevator Program: 360-902-6130
Factory-Assembled Structure Program: 360- 902-5245
Contractor Registration Program: 360-902-5263
Electrical Program: 360-902-5259
Written comments on the rule-change proposals are due by May 14, 1999. They may be sent to:
Elaine Fischer
Administrative Regulations Coordinator
Specialty Compliance Services Division
P. O. Box 44460
Olympia WA 98504-4460
FAX comments (must be 10 pages or less) to: 360-902-5292.
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