AB447: Bill Text

4. They must include an enforcement procedure and a procedure pursuant to which the department may grant a variance from the rules if the variance would not jeopardize public safety.

Conveyance permits

Under the bill, no person may construct, install, or alter a conveyance in this state unless an elevator contractor licensed by the department has received a permit for the construction, installation, or alteration from the department. With certain exceptions, such a permit expires if work is not commenced under the permit within six months after the date the permit was issued. The bill also contains provisions relating to applications for and revocations of these permits.

Under the bill, no person may allow a conveyance to be operated on property owned by the person unless the person has received a permit for the operation from the department. The department may not issue a permit for the operation of a conveyance until the conveyance passes an inspection by an elevator inspector licensed by the department. The term of such a permit is one year, except that a permit applicable to a platform lift, stairway chair lift, or residential lift in a private residence is valid until ownership of the private residence is transferred, at which time the new owner must apply for renewal of the permit.

Licensing of elevator contractors, mechanics, and inspectors

With certain exceptions, this bill requires any person engaging in the business of constructing, installing, altering, servicing, replacing, or maintaining conveyances in this state to be licensed by the department as an elevator contractor. In addition, with certain exceptions, the bill requires any person who erects, constructs, alters, replaces, maintains, repairs, removes, or dismantles any conveyance in this state to be licensed by the department as an elevator mechanic and to be under the direct supervision of a licensed elevator contractor. Any person who performs elevator inspections in this state must likewise be licensed by the department as an elevator inspector and must hold a certification as an elevator inspector issued by a person approved by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The bill requires an applicant for any of these licenses to undergo a criminal background check. The term of these licenses under the bill is two years. The bill also contains provisions relating to applications for and revocation and suspension of these licenses. In addition, the bill establishes continuing education requirements and other provisions relating to renewal of these licenses.

The department may issue an elevator contractor's license only to a person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the person is adequately qualified and able to engage in business as an elevator contractor, except that, in certain circumstances, the department may summarily issue an elevator contractor's license to a person who is licensed as an elevator contractor under the laws of another state. Every person who applies for an elevator contractor's license must provide the department with a certificate of insurance issued by one or more insurers authorized to do business in this state, indicating that the person is insured in the amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence because of bodily injury to or death of others, is insured in the amount of at least $500,000 per occurrence because of damage to the property of others, and is insured to the extent required under the workers compensation laws.

With certain exceptions, the department may issue an elevator mechanic's license only to an individual who satisfies all of the following:

1. Demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the person is adequately qualified and able to perform the work of an elevator mechanic.

2. During the three years preceding the date of application, was continuously employed in a position requiring the individual to perform work relevant to the erection, construction, alteration, replacement, maintenance, repair, removal, or dismantling of conveyances, as verified by the individual's employers.

3. Satisfactorily completes a written examination administered by the department covering the provisions of the subchapter created in the bill and rules promulgated under that subchapter relevant to the license applied for or satisfactorily completes an elevator mechanic's examination approved by the department and administered by a nationally recognized training program established by the elevator industry.

4. Satisfactorily completes an elevator mechanic's apprenticeship program that is approved by the Department of Commerce and the Department of Workforce Development.

The bill contains three exceptions relating to an elevator mechanic's license. First, the department may summarily issue an emergency elevator mechanic's license if an emergency exists in this state due to disaster or work stoppage and the number of licensed elevator mechanics working in the area of the emergency is insufficient to cope with the emergency. An emergency elevator mechanic's license may be issued only to an individual who is certified by a licensed elevator contractor as adequately qualified and able to perform the work of an elevator mechanic without direct and immediate supervision, who the department determines is so qualified and able, and who applies for an emergency elevator mechanic's license on a form prescribed by the department. An emergency elevator mechanic's license has a term of 30 days and may be renewed by the department in the case of a continuing emergency. Second, if there are no licensed elevator mechanics available to provide services contracted for by a licensed elevator contractor, the elevator contractor may notify the department and request the issuance of a temporary elevator mechanic's license to any individual who is certified by the elevator contractor as adequately qualified and able to perform the work of an elevator mechanic without direct and immediate supervision and who applies for a temporary elevator mechanic's license on a form prescribed by the department. A temporary elevator contractor's license has a term of 30 days and may be renewed by the department in the case of a continuing shortage of licensed elevator mechanics. Third, the department may summarily issue an elevator mechanic's license to an individual who is licensed as an elevator mechanic under the laws of another state, if, in the opinion of the department, that state's regulation of elevator mechanics is substantially the same as this state's.

The bill also contains a grandfather provision applicable to any individual who, during the three-year period before the effective date of the subchapter created in the bill, performed primarily the work of an elevator mechanic, within the scope of his or her employment. Such an individual may apply to the department for an elevator mechanic's license during the 12-month period beginning on the effective date of the subchapter created in the bill. The department must issue an elevator mechanic's license to any such individual who, in the opinion of the department, is adequately qualified and able to perform the work of an elevator mechanic. The term of each such license is two years.

Other provisions

Under the bill, no city, village, town, or county may enact an ordinance or adopt a resolution regulating a matter specifically governed by the subchapter created in the bill or by a rule promulgated under that subchapter. The bill also invalidates any such ordinance that is in effect on the effective date of the new subchapter.

The bill requires the owner or lessee of any conveyance in operation on the effective date of the new subchapter to obtain any required operating permit no later than the first day of the 6th month beginning after the effective date of the new subchapter. This requirement does not apply to any person required to obtain a permit under rules of the department of commerce that are in effect before the effective date of the new subchapter.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to result if the bill is enacted.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB447, s. 1 Section 1. 15.157 (13) of the statutes is created to read:

AB447,5,4 15.157 (13) Conveyance safety code council. (a) There is created in the department of commerce a conveyance safety code council consisting of the following members appointed for 3-year terms:

AB447,5,5 1. One member representing a manufacturer of elevators.

AB447,5,6 2. One member representing an elevator servicing business.

AB447,5,8 3. One member representing an architectural design or elevator consulting profession.

AB447,5,10 4. One member representing a labor organization whose members are involved in the installation, maintenance, and repair of elevators.

AB447,5,11 5. One member representing a city, village, town, or county in this state.

AB447,5,13 6. One member representing an owner or manager of a building in this state containing an elevator.

AB447,5,14 7. One member representing the public.

AB447,5,15 8. The secretary of commerce, or his or her designee.

AB447,5,17 9. An employee of the department of commerce, designated by the secretary of commerce, who is familiar with commercial building inspections.

AB447,5,20 (b) The council shall meet at least twice a year. An employee of the department of commerce designated by the secretary of commerce shall serve as nonvoting secretary of the council.

AB447, s. 2 Section 2. 101.02 (20) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB447,6,2 101.02 (20) (a) For purposes of this subsection, "license" means a license, permit or certificate of certification or registration issued by the department under ss. 101.09 (3) (c), 101.122 (2) (c), 101.143 (2) (g), 101.15 (2) (e), 101.17, 101.177 (4) (a), 101.178 (2) or (3) (a), 101.63 (2) or (2m), 101.653, 101.73 (5) or (6), 101.82 (2), 101.87, 101.935, 101.95, 101.951, 101.952, 101.985 (1) to (3), 145.02 (4), 145.035, 145.045, 145.15, 145.16, 145.165, 145.17, 145.175, 145.18 or 167.10 (6m).

AB447, s. 3 Section 3. 101.02 (21) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB447,6,9 101.02 (21) (a) In this subsection, "license" means a license, permit or certificate of certification or registration issued by the department under s. 101.09 (3) (c), 101.122 (2) (c), 101.143 (2) (g), 101.15 (2) (e), 101.17, 101.177 (4) (a), 101.178 (2) or (3) (a), 101.63 (2), 101.653, 101.73 (5) or (6), 101.82 (2), 101.87, 101.935, 101.95, 101.951, 101.952, 101.985 (1) to (3), 145.02 (4), 145.035, 145.045, 145.15, 145.16, 145.165, 145.17, 145.175, 145.18 or 167.10 (6m).

AB447, s. 4 Section 4. 101.19 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB447,6,14 101.19 (1) (b) The required inspection of boilers, pressure vessels, refrigeration plants, liquefied petroleum gas vessels, anhydrous ammonia tanks and containers, elevators, ski towing and lift devices, escalators, dumbwaiters, and amusement or thrill rides but not of amusement attractions.

AB447, s. 5 Section 5. 101.19 (1) (k) of the statutes is created to read:

AB447,6,19 101.19 (1) (k) Administering subch. VII, except that the department may not charge a fee for an emergency elevator mechanic's license under s. 101.985 (2) (b) 2. or a conveyance operation permit under s. 101.983 (2) for a platform lift, stairway chair lift, or any other lift in a private residence.

AB447, s. 6 Section 6. 101.82 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB447,7,4 101.82 (1) Adopt rules for the construction and inspection of electrical construction of public buildings and places of employment and for the inspection of electrical construction of places where farming, as defined in s. 101.01 (11), is conducted. Where feasible, the standards used shall be those nationally recognized. No rule may be adopted promulgated under this subsection which does not take into account the conservation of energy in construction and maintenance of buildings. No rule may be promulgated under this subsection governing the wiring of any conveyance, as defined under s. 101.981 (1) (b), from the mainline feeder terminals on the controller.

AB447, s. 7 Section 7. 101.86 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB447,7,12 101.86 (1) (a) Exercise jurisdiction over electrical construction and inspection of electrical construction in public buildings and places of employment by passage of ordinances, providing such ordinances meet the minimum requirements of the department's rules adopted under this subchapter. A county ordinance shall apply in any city, village or town which has not enacted such an ordinance. No municipality may exercise jurisdiction over the wiring of any conveyance, as defined under s. 101.981 (1) (b), from the mainline feeder terminals on the controller.

AB447, s. 8 Section 8. Subchapter VII of chapter 101 [precedes 101.981] of the statutes is created to read:

AB447,7,15 chapter 101

AB447,7,16 Subchapter VII

AB447,7,18 elevators, escalators, and other conveyances

AB447,7,20 101.981 Definitions; modification by rule. (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), in this subchapter:

AB447,7,23 (a) "Belt manlift" means a power-driven, looped belt equipped with steps or platforms and a hand hold for the transportation of people from one floor of a building or structure to another.

AB447,8,3 (b) "Conveyance" means an elevator, escalator, dumbwaiter, belt manlift, moving walkway, platform lift, and stairway chair lift, and any other similar device, such as an automated people mover, used to elevate or move people or things, as provided in the rules of the department. "Conveyance" does not include a grain elevator.

AB447,8,5 (c) "Dumbwaiter" means a hoisting and lowering mechanism that satisfies all of the following conditions:

AB447,8,7 1. Is equipped with a compartment that moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction and has a floor area of not more than 9 square feet.

AB447,8,8 2. Has a maximum lifting and lowering capacity of not more than 500 pounds.

AB447,8,9 3. Is used exclusively for carrying materials

AB447,8,12 (d) "Elevator" means a hoisting or lowering machine, other than a dumbwaiter, equipped with a compartment or platform that moves in guides and serves 2 or more floors or landings of a building or structure.

AB447,8,14 (e) "Escalator" means a power-driven, moving stairway used for raising and lowering people.

AB447,8,21 (2) The department shall promulgate rules establishing additional definitions to the extent the department deems necessary for the proper administration and enforcement of this subchapter. The department, by rule, may modify definitions established under sub. (1). To the extent practicable, the department shall ensure that any definitions or modifications promulgated under this subsection are consistent with national, industry-wide safety standards governing matters regulated by this subchapter.

AB447,9,10 101.982 Conveyance safety code. The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for the safe installation and operation of conveyances. In promulgating rules under this section the department shall consider the recommendations of the conveyance safety code council under s. 101.986. The rules shall be consistent, to the extent practicable, with national, industry-wide safety standards applicable to conveyances. The rules shall require any testing of conveyances or related equipment required under the rules to be performed by an elevator mechanic licensed under s. 101.985 (2). The rules shall require any person who installs a new conveyance to give the owner of the building in which the conveyance is installed, before the conveyance is placed in operation, a written certification indicating that the installation complies with the rules promulgated under this section. The rules shall include an enforcement procedure and a procedure pursuant to which the department may grant a variance from the rules if the variance would not jeopardize public safety.

AB447,9,15 101.983 Conveyance permits required. (1) Construction, installation, and alteration. (a) Permit required. No person may construct, install, or alter a conveyance in this state unless an elevator contractor licensed by the department under s. 101.985 (1) has received a permit for the construction, installation, or alteration from the department.

AB447,9,25 (b) Application. A person applying for a permit under par. (a) shall include, along with the application, copies of specifications and accurately scaled and fully dimensioned plans showing the location of the construction, installation, or alteration in relation to the plans and elevation of the building; the location of the applicable machinery room, if any, and the equipment to be constructed, installed, or altered; and all structural supporting members relevant to the construction, installation, or alteration, including foundations. The specifications and plans shall be sufficiently complete to illustrate all details of design and construction, installation, or alteration. The application shall specify all materials to be used and all loads to be supported or conveyed. The department may authorize a person to include the application and other information required under this paragraph with any submission required under s. 101.12 (1) to avoid duplicative filing of information.

AB447,10,4 (c) Revocation. The department may revoke a permit issued under this subsection if the department finds any of the following:

AB447,10,6 1. That information submitted under par. (b) by the person obtaining the permit contains false statements or misrepresentations of material fact.

AB447,10,7 2. That the permit was issued in error.

AB447,10,10 3. That the work performed under the permit is not consistent with information submitted under par. (b) by the person obtaining the permit or is in violation of this subchapter or rules promulgated under this subchapter.

AB447,10,12 (d) Expiration. A permit issued under this subsection expires under any of the following circumstances:

AB447,10,15 1. If the work authorized under the permit is not commenced within 6 months after the date on which the permit is issued, or within a shorter period of time as specified by the department at the time the permit is issued.

AB447,10,18 2. If the work authorized under the permit is suspended or abandoned for 60 consecutive days at any time following the commencement of the work, or for a shorter period of time as specified by the department at the time the permit is issued.

AB447,10,23 (2) Operation. (a) Permit required. No person may allow a conveyance to be operated on property owned by the person unless the person has received a permit for the operation from the department. The department may not issue a permit required under this paragraph until all inspections required under par. (c) are completed.

AB447,11,2 (b) Application. For a newly installed conveyance, the elevator contractor that contracted to perform the installation shall apply for the initial permit required under par. (a) on behalf of the owner of the building in which the conveyance is located. Applications for renewal of the permit shall be made by the owner.

AB447,11,17 (c) Inspections. The department may not issue or renew a permit under this subsection unless the department has received an inspection report for the conveyance issued by an elevator inspector licensed under s. 101.985 (3) indicating that the conveyance complies with this subchapter and any applicable rules promulgated under this subchapter. Upon request of the owner of a private residence containing a newly installed platform lift, stairway chair lift, or residential lift or of the new owner of a private residence containing a previously installed platform lift, stairway chair lift, or residential lift, the department shall inspect the lift or equipment for compliance with this subchapter and any applicable rules promulgated under this subchapter. This inspection by the department does not exempt the owner from the requirement to ensure that the department receives an inspection report from a licensed elevator inspector. Upon performing this inspection, the department shall give the owner notice of relevant conveyance safety requirements and shall instruct the owner as to the procedure for obtaining periodic inspections and renewing the permit under which the lift or equipment is operated.

AB447,11,24 (d) Term and posting requirements. A permit issued under this subsection has a term of one year, except that a permit applicable to a platform lift, stairway chair lift, or residential lift in a private residence is valid until ownership of the private residence is transferred, at which time the new owner shall apply for renewal of the permit under par. (b). The owner of the building or residence in which a conveyance is located shall display the permit under par. (a) applicable to the conveyance on or in the conveyance or, if applicable, in the machinery room.

AB447,12,4 101.984 Licenses and supervision required. (1) Elevator contractor. No person may engage in the business of constructing, installing, altering, servicing, replacing, or maintaining conveyances in this state unless the person is licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

AB447,12,9 (2) Elevator mechanic. (a) Generally. Except as provided in par. (c), no individual may erect, construct, alter, replace, maintain, repair, remove, or dismantle any conveyance in this state unless the individual is licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2) and is or is under the direct supervision of a person licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

AB447,12,13 (b) Electrical construction. No individual may wire any conveyance in this state from the mainline feeder terminals on the controller unless the individual is licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2) and is or is under the direct supervision of a person licensed as an elevator contractor under s. 101.985 (1).

AB447,12,17 (c) Exceptions. 1. Paragraph (a) does not apply to an individual who removes or dismantles a conveyance that is destroyed as a result of a complete demolition of a building or where the hoistway or wellway is demolished back to the basic support structure such that the hoistway or wellway is inaccessible.

AB447,12,18 2. Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply to any of the following:

AB447,12,21 a. An individual who is enrolled in and performing tasks that are within the scope of an elevator mechanic's apprenticeship program that is approved by the department of commerce and by the department of workforce development.

AB447,12,23 b. An individual performing tasks under the direct supervision of and as a helper to an individual licensed as an elevator mechanic under s. 101.985 (2).

AB447,13,3 c. An individual who performs work described under par. (a) or (b) during the 5-day period preceding the date on which the individual applies for and receives an emergency elevator contractor's license under s. 101.985 (2) (b) 2.

AB447,13,7 (3) Elevator inspector. No individual may perform an elevator inspection in this state unless the individual is licensed as an elevator inspector under s. 101.985 (3) and holds a certification as an elevator inspector issued by a person approved by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

AB447,13,23 101.985 Licensing qualifications and procedure. (1) Elevator contractor. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the department may issue an elevator contractor's license only to a person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the person is adequately qualified and able to engage in business as an elevator contractor. The department may summarily issue an elevator contractor's license to a person who is licensed as an elevator contractor under the laws of another state, if, in the opinion of the department, that state's regulation of elevator contractors is substantially the same as this state's. Every person who applies for a license under this subsection shall provide the department with a certificate of insurance issued by one or more insurers authorized to do business in this state, indicating that the person is insured in the amount of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence because of bodily injury to or death of others, is insured in the amount of at least $500,000 per occurrence because of damage to the property of others, and is insured to the extent required under ch. 102. A person who is issued a license under this subsection shall notify the department in writing of any material change in these insurance coverages at least 10 days before the change takes effect.

AB447,14,3 (2) Elevator mechanic. (a) Except as provided in par. (b), the department may issue an elevator mechanic's license only to an individual who satisfies all of the following:

AB447,14,5 1. Demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the person is adequately qualified and able to perform the work of an elevator mechanic.

AB447,14,9 2. During the 3 years preceding the date of application, was continuously employed in a position requiring the individual to perform work relevant to the erection, construction, alteration, replacement, maintenance, repair, removal, or dismantling of conveyances, as verified by the individual's employers.

AB447,14,14 3. Satisfactorily completes a written examination administered by the department covering the provisions of this subchapter and rules promulgated under this subchapter relevant to the license applied for or satisfactorily completes an elevator mechanic's examination approved by the department and administered by a nationally recognized training program established by the elevator industry.

AB447,14,17 4. Satisfactorily completes an elevator mechanic's apprenticeship program that is approved by the department of commerce and the department of workforce development.