STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1057

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1381

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1381, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELEVATOR MECHANICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify the regulatory system for and oversight of the licensed profession of elevator mechanics by amending the permissible scope of work, apprenticeship and licensing requirements, and powers and duties of the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board.

The International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 126, testified in support of this measure.  The Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board testified in support of the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Amending examination requirements by deleting language related to examination fees and retaking examinations after an unsuccessful attempt and adding a minimum age eligibility requirement;

     (2)  Deleting language related to registration requirements and temporary permit eligibility for apprentice elevator mechanics;

     (3)  Amending requirements for license renewal by requiring proof of completion of continuing education courses and amending continuing education content requirements to reflect an expanded scope of work;

     (4)  Expanding the allowable scope of work for elevator mechanics and deleting proposed limitations on dismantling or removal of a conveyance from a building or structure;

     (5)  Amending language related to the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board by requiring four meetings each year, deleting responsibilities related to apprentices, and deleting proposed requirements that licensee-members serve as advisors to the Regulated Industries Complaints Office; 

     (6)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to facilitate further discussion; and

     (7)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committee notes that during public testimony, the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board stated that the proposed amendments presented by the Board, which your Committee incorporated in this measure, were arrived at through a collaborative effort by various parties affected by this measure.  However, your Committee notes that the involved parties stressed that this measure is a work in progress and that they will continue this work as the measure continues to make its way through the legislative process.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1381, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1381, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair