Senate bill would raise threshold for plumbing-license suspensions, remove advisory-board recommendation

Chair Berry opened the public hearing on substitute Senate Bill 6197, which would alter how the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) suspends plumber and plumbing-contractor credentials. Jim Morishima, staff to the committee, told members the bill raises the number of infractions needed for suspension from three in a 36-month period to five in a 60-month period and removes the provision that suspensions must be recommended by the plumbers advisory board. The bill also requires a written order enumerating the infractions that led to suspension and directs L&I to provide regular enforcement updates to the advisory board.

State Senator Victoria Hunt, the bill's prime sponsor, said extensive stakeholder discussion led to removal of an unclear corrective-action-plan provision that had raised concerns. Hunt said making the five-in-five rule uniform across residential and commercial work simplified enforcement and won previously opposed groups to neutral or supportive positions; she noted one remaining negotiation point on how to treat transition-period infractions as the law changes.

Industry and labor witnesses urged clarifying language. Jason Hill of the Washington State Association of UA Plumbers and Pipefitters and Todd Allred of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association asked the committee to ensure enforcement history is preserved so prior infractions are not effectively erased by the statutory change. Michael Tranescu of the Mechanical Contractors Association said the bill fixes timing and appeal-related issues in the current statute and targets nonresidential work where public-safety risk is higher.

The hearing record shows stakeholders remain engaged on amendment language and transitional treatment of open investigations. The committee did not take final action on ESSB 6197 during this meeting; testimony closed and staff will continue to work with sponsors and stakeholders on clarifying amendments.