Brief⁽¹⁾

H.B. 3005 would amend the Boiler Safety Act. Major provisions would enact the following:

• Pressure vessels would be included under the Act, but only those installed after January 1, 1999. Pressure vessel would be defined as a vessel or container used for the containment of pressure in which the pressure is obtained from an external source of vapor, liquid, or gas.



• Certificates of inspection would be required to be maintained on site. Current law requires the certificate to be posted under glass.



• Certain inspection exemptions that apply to pressure vessels are outlined in the bill.



• Clarification regarding inspection fees is included to provide that 20 percent of inspection fees only are to be credited to the State General Fund. The balance of the inspection fees and all of the certificate fees are to be credited to the Boiler Inspection Fee Fund.



• Exclusions to the Act would include antique scale model or other steam boilers used for exhibition purposes.



• Rule and regulation authority would be granted regarding boilers or pressure vessels regarding construction and installation, as well as the maximum allowable working pressure in certain circumstances.



• The qualifications of Chief Inspector would be increased from five to ten years experience which will include experience with pressure vessels. Deputy inspectors would also be required to have experience with pressure vessels. A provision would allow for special inspectors to be issued certificates of competency to inspect boilers and pressure vessels for antique and steam engine show purposes.



• An electric generating utility could be granted an additional year between inspections. Current law requires an annual inspection for boilers. Hot water supply boilers would be inspected every three years.

Background

Proponents of the bill included the Director of the Division of Workers Compensation and an official with the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Inspectors.

Representatives of Kansas City Power and Light and Western Resources indicated they had no problem with the bill, as amended.

The fiscal note indicates an additional 400 inspections annually for hot water supply boilers. The Boiler Inspection Fee Fund would realize an additional $40,000 in FY 1999 which had previously gone to the State General Fund. Additional staff would be needed to maintain records.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext-bill.html.