SENATE BILL NO. 50 "An Act relating to certain boiler and pressure vessel inspections and inspectors; and providing for an effective date." DWIGHT PERKINS, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Labor testified in support of the bill, which the department requested. He told the committee that the department was backlogged in its inspection of boilers and pressure vessels. Of the 6000 vessels that were overdue, over one- half were cast iron boilers and domestic hot water heaters. This legislation would allow the commissioner to identify certain state employees as approved inspectors for the purpose of performing routine annual inspections on this type of vessel. He pointed out that the state plumbing inspectors were journeyman plumbers trained to install and service this type of equipment and could, with minimum amount of training from a board certified boiler inspector, be able to perform annual inspections of this type. It would better help the department utilize existing employees within the department and help bring down the backlog of inspections. He noted a positive fiscal note accompanied the bill. Senator Lyda Green asked what was the current status of the inspectors and if they were on contract or employees of the state. She wanted to know if they were certified inspectors. Dwight Perkins said they currently had certified boiler inspectors that did a wide range of inspections. This bill would allow plumbing inspectors, with minimal amount of training to do the inspections for low-pressure boilers. The department did not plan on hiring additional staff to perform these inspections. Senator Lyda Green asked if there was any reason to go outside of the department to contract others to do the inspections. She referred to rural areas. Dwight Perkins responded that the intent was not to hire new employees but to better use the staff already. Senator Lyda Green asked if there was reason to contract the inspections outside the Department of Labor. She suggested staff from Department of Transportation and Public Utilities or an individual in a remote area that could do the inspections could be hired on a contract basis. Dwight Perkins replied that the intent was not to hire new people. The department had staff available for this. Senator Lyda Green asked what was the examination taken to qualify for certification. Dwight Perkins answered that examination was for the full-fledged boiler inspection certification and was intense and encompassing. Senator Gary Wilken asked if this would expand the duties of the inspectors. He wondered what were the current duties and if they inspected home hot water heaters. Dwight Perkins responded that hot water heaters were inspected. Senator Gary Wilken asked if this legislation would expand the duties the department currently performed. Dwight Perkins said this would help reduce the backlog of existing services provided. Tape: SFC - 99 #49, Side B 9:49 AM AL DWYER, Director, Division of Labor Standards and Safety, Department of Labor, explained that inspections were done for new construction and larger, commercial facilities, such as for an apartment building. This would not expand the duties, but would allow the department to utilize their plumbers for the inspections. Inspections of domestic hot water heaters were currently in the department's code, he stated. Senator Sean Parnell understood Senator Lyda Green's concerns and read language from page one of the bill regarding the special inspector: "The Commissioner of the Department of Labor may appoint an employee of the Department of Labor as an approved inspector." He then referred to language from page two that dictated certification as a special inspector, a person must have passed an examination, or hold a certificate. He wanted to know if the special inspector was different than the approved inspector of the first section. Al Dwyer responded that there was a difference. He explained that half of the boilers and pressure vessels were inspected by insurance company inspectors and were commissioned by the Commissioner. It only used large companies, such as oil companies that had experts who had passed the national board test. To do the remaining half of the inspections, the department had a difficult time retaining qualified boiler inspectors who would go into the private sector positions. The department hoped that by using the plumbing inspectors, the backlog could be reduced. Senator Sean Parnell wanted to know if these inspectors were trained workers that could only be found in the department. Al Dwyer explained the inspectors were highly trained and must work with the commissioner, who was ultimately responsible for the inspections. Conflict of interest concerns were also a consideration with plumbers inspecting the same system they installed. There was discussion on the requirements of inspectors of the smaller cast iron boilers and the training and testing required. Senator Gary Wilken made a motion to move SB 50 from committee with individual recommendations and the negative fiscal note. Without objection, Co-Chair John Torgerson so ordered.