Michigan Votes

2007 House Bill 4216 (Impose new boiler operator regulations )

Public Act 159 of 2008

[Comments on this legislation] [Text and Analysis] [Add to Watch List]
[Previous] [Next]

  • Introduced by Rep. Rick Jones on February 7, 2007, to impose new requirements on steam boiler operators, including new categories of licensure and registration, new fees, new training and experience standards, etc. See the House Fiscal Agency analysis for details.
    • Referred to the House Labor Committee on February 7, 2007.
      • Reported in the House on March 13, 2007, with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
    • Substitute offered in the House on March 14, 2007, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on March 14, 2007.
  • Passed in the House (90 to 19) on March 14, 2007. [Vote Details and Comments]
  • Received in the Senate on March 15, 2007.
    • Referred to the Senate Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee on March 15, 2007.
      • Reported in the Senate on February 26, 2008, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
    • Substitute offered in the Senate on May 27, 2008, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises the education and training requirements and provides for reciprocal registration with other states that have similar requirements. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on May 27, 2008.
  • Passed in the Senate (38 to 0) on May 28, 2008, to impose new requirements on steam boiler operators, including new categories of licensure and registration, new fees, new training and experience standards, and more. The bill also provides for reciprocal registration with other states. See the Senate Fiscal Agency analysis for details. [Vote Details and Comments]
  • Received in the House on May 28, 2008.
  • Passed in the House (87 to 20) on June 3, 2008, to concur with the Senate-passed version of the bill. [Vote Details and Comments]
  • Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on June 11, 2008.

Line

Comments

Introduced by Rep. Rick Jones on February 7, 2007. Passed in the House (90 to 19) on March 14, 2007. New Comment

1) Turbine operator/ Boiler oper. [by Anonymous Citizen on July 30, 2007]
I believe the idea is right but to grandfather everyone in without some type of testing defeats the purpose of certification.
Reply New Comment

Line

2) mech.eng/S.E. [by r_meier_2000 on April 19, 2007]
Concerning the requirements for becoming a stationary engineer #1 the way i read it is a person only needs 6yrs running a boiler with +20k HS to get to a #1 what about experience in gas turbines which is required to be a stationary eng in most other states, including ASOPE/NIULPE licenses
Reply New Comment

Line

3) stationary engineer from dearborn [by Anonymous Citizen on April 19, 2007]
I agree that this is a good thing but to give out licenses as if they were candy just for being a part of a operations team for 4-6 years is crazy i know i worked and studied hard for my dearborn test and i have 9 yrs as a millwight at consumers and 18 yrs running 150K to 360K boilers and 5-35 KW turbines and i had to do alot of catching up to todays standards to be current , its a ongoing process but to give out licenses based on time on job is crazy and undermines the work detroit and dearborn have provided for many years
Reply New Comment

Line

4) Why? [by Anonymous Citizen on March 14, 2007]
Another bad solution looking for a problem.
Reply New Comment

Line

5) This is a good thing. [by Anonymous Citizen on March 14, 2007]
- The bill is designed to promote the safe day-to-day operation, maintenance and energy conservation.

- The Boiler Act of 1965 regulates the construction, use and repair of boilers used to generate steam power for power plants but not the operaton of.

- Presently, boiler inspectors, installers and repairers are required to be licensed but not operators.

- HB 4216 calls for the voluntary - VOLUNTARY - registration of boiler operators and stationary engineers.

- Some cities and municipalities require licensing. HB 4216 will implement a state-wide uniform set of standards for registration of operators and engineers consistent with those cities and municipalities.

- Boiler operator profession has asked for this legislation which would provide for uniform registration throughout the state.

- American Society of Mechanical Engineers recognized the need for this type oflegislation when they state in their rules "operators should be thoroughly trained so they can maintain safe and continuous operation."

- This bill does not create a new administrative body. The Board of Boiler Rules was created by the Boiler Act of 1965 and it would have the responsibility of establishing the course content and administering the exams. The Board has been in existence for over 30 years and currently administers the exams for the boiler inspectors.

- It's important to keep in mind that, while there are unfortunately many cases where there has been loss of life and property because of inadequately trained boiler operators and stationary engineers, it is difficult to gauge what other future catastrophes may occur because of poorly trained personnel.
Reply New Comment

Line


Copyright © 2008 USA Votes, Inc.  Patent Pending.  All rights reserved.  Terms of use

A free public service of Mackinac Center for Public Policy
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
Capitol Building

Search legislation: