02/18/1999 01:37 PM Senate L&C

         SB  50-BOILER AND PRESSURE VESSEL INSPECTIONS                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. DWIGHT PERKINS, Deputy Commissioner, DOL, said SB 50 will allow                                                             
the Department to increase efficiency by better utilizing the                                                                   
skills of existing personnel, who are competent by virtue of their                                                              
special training, to perform annual inspections of cast iron                                                                    
boilers and domestic hot water heaters, an estimated one-half of                                                                
the 6,000 boilers overdue for inspection.  Limited inspections on                                                               
a part-time basis should stop the backlog.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN MACKIE asked if the fiscal note shows that $40,000 in                                                                  
receipts will be generated.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. PERKINS replied $40,000 is anticipated as additional income to                                                              
the general fund.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN MACKIE questioned why State employees should serve this                                                                
function, rather than private sector inspectors.                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. PERKINS stated the boiler code limits DOL's ability to delegate                                                             
authority to municipalities or jurisdictions with a population of                                                               
less than one million.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LEMAN asked if passage of SB 50 encourages the hire of more                                                             
State employees or whether existing personnel will be able to get                                                               
the necessary certification.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. PERKINS replied DOL currently has three plumbing inspectors.                                                                
One has the necessary certification; the other two will require                                                                 
minimal training to receive the certification, therefore no new                                                                 
employees will be needed.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LEMAN expressed concern that DOL not use this legislation                                                               
as a means to hire new inspectors.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
CHAIRMAN MACKIE asked Mr. Perkins if he is aware of any opposition                                                              
to SB 50.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. PERKINS stated he is not, and that DOL sees this measure as one                                                             
that streamlines government.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR LEMAN moved SB 50 and its accompanying fiscal note from                                                                 
committee with individual recommendations.  There being no                                                                      
objection, the motion carried.