HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	202
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

establishing a building trades task force to study and review jurisdictional and scope of practice issues between the building trades in hawaii.

     WHEREAS, the construction industry has always played a large role in the building and enhancement of Hawaii's economy, from the days when the construction crane was referred to as the "state bird", to the recent boom in housing and military contracts; and

     WHEREAS, the construction industry consists of many building trades, including bricklayers, carpenters, carpet layers, cement workers, electricians, elevator constructors, heavy equipment operators, ironworkers, joiners, laborers, landscape architects, masons, painters, pipefitters, plumbers, plasterers, tapers, tile layers, and welders; and

     WHEREAS, many of these building trades work in conjunction with each other, often forming a symbiotic relationship that depends on each trade completing its responsibilities for the project to reach completion; and

     WHEREAS, oversight of some of the building industry professionals and trades, such as architects, landscape architects, contractors, electricians, elevator mechanics, engineers, plumbers, and surveyors, is currently accomplished through licensing boards within the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division (PVL) of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA); and

     WHEREAS, DCCA also investigates complaints against professionals licensed by the PVL and protects the public from unlicensed activities through its Regulated Industries Complaints Office; and

     WHEREAS, questions and concerns have been raised by several of the building trades, particularly electricians, plumbers, laborers, and landscape architects regarding jurisdictional issues, oversight, scope of practice, qualifications, and licensure; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that a Building Trades Task Force (Task Force) be established and convened to study and review jurisdictional and scope of practice issues relating to all building trades in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the Task Force include:

     (1)  The chair of the House Committee of Labor and Public Employment, who shall serve as a co-chair of the Task Force;

     (2)  The chair of the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, who shall serve as a co-chair of the Task Force;

     (3)  The Director of DCCA, or a designee;

     (4)  The Director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, or a designee;

     (5)  The chair of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers, or a designee;

     (6)  An individual representing the construction industry, or a designee;

     (7)  The President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, or a designee;

     (8)  The President of the Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 675, or a designee;

     (9)  The President of the Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 368; and

     (10) Any other professionals or individuals deemed necessary by the co-chairs of the Task Force;

and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to review current practices regarding oversight and jurisdiction of electricians and plumbers currently practicing in Hawaii; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force study and determine whether overlap exists between the scope of practice of electricians and plumbers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to submit a report to the Legislature regarding the Task Force's findings and recommendations no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2008; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, the chair of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers, the President of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the President of the Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 675, AFL-CIO, and the President of the Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 368.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Establishing a Building Trades Task Force to study and review the jurisdictional issues and scope of practice issues of building trades in Hawaii.