The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is proposing a 2.79 percent increase in fees that apply to most of its inspection, permitting, licensing and certification services within the building and construction trades. L&I said the fee increases are necessary to help offset inflation and enable the programs to maintain operational effectiveness.
If approved, they would take effect June 28 and cover services performed for electrical, contractor registration and factory-assembled structures.
The Board of Boiler Rules, which adopts its own rules, is proposing this same increase.
The proposed fee increases comply with the Office of Financial Management (OFM) fiscal-growth-factor guidelines. OFM oversees state-agency budgets, and set 2.79 percent as the maximum allowable growth rate for fiscal year 2002.
In addition, L&I is proposing to restructure its elevator-inspection fees, and to increase some of those fees above the OFM guidelines.
The state operating budget authorized the department to exceed the fiscal growth factor and increase fees to fully fund the elevator program.
The first public hearing on the proposed fee changes (except boilers) is scheduled for 4 p.m., May 21, at L&I headquarters in Tumwater, 7273 Linderson Ave. SW. A second public hearing will be held at 3 p.m., May 22, in the Yakima School District administration offices, 104 N. Fourth Ave., Yakima. A public hearing on the boiler-room program fee increase will be held at 10 a.m., May 21, at L&I’s Tacoma office, 950 Broadway, Suite 200.
Full copies of the proposed fee changes can be obtained at www.LNI.wa.gov/scs, or by calling 260/902-6411.
Written comments on the proposed fee increases are due by May 22. They may be sent to Josh Swanson, P.O. Box 44400, Olympia, WA 98504-4400, or e-mailed to swaj235&lni.wa.gov. Comments may also be faxed to 360/902-5292 by the same deadline and must be 10 pages or less.