The state Legislature makes elevator laws, found in the Revised Code of Washington in Chapter 70.87 RCW. You may also find laws through the RCW search tool.
The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) contains rules that are written by L&I based on the law. Elevator rules are found in Chapter 296-96 WAC.
The State Office of the Code Reviser maintains and updates laws and rules.
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L&I has adopted a 17% fee increase for funding of a new Conveyance Management System (CMS). The fee increase is divided into two, 8.5 percent fee increases, effective January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024.
On May 17, 2022, L&I filed proposed rules (CR-102) for a single, 17% fee increase. A public hearing was held on June 22. The CMS project team has updated the project schedule with a new go-live date for CMS of January 2024. As a result, the single, increase was instead divided into two, 8.5%, fee increases for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
The increase affects fees under chapter 296-96 Washington Administrative Code (WAC). The fees include licensing, permits, and plan approvals.
The final rules (CR-103) were filed with the state Office of the Code Reviser on October 18.
What it supports
A fee increase is needed to fund a new CMS. The CMS is the database used to provide permitting, inspection, and other information for customers and program staff. Our current system is aging, failing, and no longer meets the service needs.
Plans call for the new system to include a secure customer portal for you to manage your account information, submit applications and permits online, and immediate access to inspection results.
The new CMS is expected to go online in January 2024.
Rulemaking documents
L&I is proposing changes to the elevator rules to adopt new safety codes from the 2019 edition of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A17.1., and other related codes.
L&I is also proposing updates, clarification, housekeeping, and other changes to the rules. The rule changes would affect chapter 296-96 WAC, Safety regulations and fees for all elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators and other conveyances.
L&I filed the proposed rules (CR-102) on May 2.
How to participate
Public comments on the proposed rules will be accepted through June 13, 2023.
Public hearings on the proposed rules are scheduled as follows:
June 7, at 9 a.m.
How to participate:
https://lni-wa-gov.zoom.us/j/88472027841?pwd=dHV5VDRhTVJVendNaEZwTGZGcVJYZz09
Passcode: 1Nh+8S+Y
1-253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 884 7202 7841
Passcode: 57042695
June 13, at 9 a.m.
How to participate:
L&I Tukwila Office, 12806 Gateway Dr. S. Tukwila, WA 98168
The hearings will continue until all oral comments are received.
You can provide testimony or written comments at the above hearing, or send written comments by 5 p.m. on June 13, 2023, to:
Alicia Curry
Email: Alicia.Curry@Lni.wa.gov
Mail: Department of Labor & Industries
Field Services & Public Safety Division
P.O. Box 44400
Olympia, WA 98504-4400
Fax: 360-902-6134
Rulemaking documents:
Notice of Intent 10/19/2021
Proposed Rule Language 5/2/2023
Here’s what happens next:
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