STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2679

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2494

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2494, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to strengthen regulatory oversight of elevator mechanics.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires licensing examinations, license renewals, and continuing education;

(2) Defines the scope of work of elevator mechanics;

(3) Recognizes exemptions from licensure;

(4) Prohibits remote interactions of a conveyance;

(5) Adds the completion of an apprenticeship program and increases the length of supervised training as requirements for licensure;

(6) Authorizes temporary permits for apprentice elevator mechanics under certain circumstances; and

(7) Clarifies and updates other areas of the elevator mechanics licensing law.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from KONE Inc.; the National Elevator Industry, Inc.; Otis Elevator Company; Schindler Elevator Corporation; and thyssenkrupp Elevator Corporation.

Your Committee finds that elevator technology has advanced exponentially in the years since the elevator mechanics licensing law was last updated. Your Committee believes this measure is necessary to ensure that elevator mechanics keep pace with the current technology.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the scope of work of an elevator mechanic pertains to work performed on a conveyance;

(2) Clarifying the definition of "remote interaction" to refer to actions or interactions within a building or complex in which a conveyance is located;

(3) Clarifying that the elevator mechanic apprenticeship program is registered with the State Apprenticeship Council; and

(4) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2494, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2494, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair