Washington State Department of Labor and Industries

The meeting included an update on staffing for Plans Examiners and board member positions, as well as an overview of rules and legislation regarding senate bill 5089, which mandates board expansion, and house bill 1514 concerning RV and RPT manufacturers. A fiscal growth factor fee increase for fiscal year 2025 was discussed, alongside the passage of advisory board bylaws. The installer program update covered recent exam results, testing options for Spanish-speaking candidates, and ongoing contractor training events. New business topics included vendor certification options, referencing specific WAC codes for food truck approval processes, and discussions on updating gold insignia stickers and potential solutions for stolen stickers.

The board reviewed proposed draft language changes regarding boiler definitions and inspection requirements, including the development of upcoming regulatory filings. Administrative actions included the formal election of the Board Chair. Additionally, the board reviewed quarterly boiler program inspection statistics, covering inspection volumes, violation data, and overdue certificate rates, while also receiving updates on the status of board appointments and organizational milestones.

The committee discussed the pilot 'Fresh Look' reconsideration project for denied training hours, administrative updates regarding office operations and improved affidavit processing procedures, the passage of ESB 5997 concerning remote supervision, and concerns regarding the accessibility and availability of plumber certification testing sites, including potential exploration of alternative providers. Additionally, an update was provided on upcoming IAPMO technical committee meetings, conferences, and the implementation of water demand calculators.

The board discussed several items, including a plumbing program activity overview covering budget considerations, inspector statistics, and current affidavit processing challenges. There was discussion regarding exam updates, specifically the potential acceptance of hours from other states, moving to the 2021 UPC, and future procurement plans. Staffing updates were provided concerning ongoing hiring freezes for public safety positions. The board addressed open seats and received an IAPMO update regarding new committees and code change processes. New business included a proposal for a remote meeting option via TEAMS and a discussion on a potential national plumbing exam.

The meeting included an overview of IME program updates, examiner pool data, and complaint processing. Key discussions focused on interpreter services, the ongoing pilot program for IME recording with Medical Memory, and the presentation of the IME Data report. Updates from the Claims and Scheduling units were provided, highlighting challenges with late reports and exam scheduling delays. Open discussion addressed potential scheduling improvements, the need for cost comparison data, and interest in analyzing the impacts of post-COVID claim trends.