Chapter 629 Oregon Laws 2001

AN ACT

HB 3373

Relating to persons working with medical gas systems; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. (1) Notwithstanding ORS 447.010 (6), a person who installs, maintains or repairs medical gas systems is not operating a plumbing business or engaging in the plumbing trade if the person operates or is employed by a business for which the installation, maintenance or repair of medical gas systems was a substantial business activity in Oregon during the period commencing October 23, 1997, and ending October 23, 1999.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section applies only if evidence is presented to the State Plumbing Board that demonstrates that the medical gas system installation, maintenance or repair activity of the business in Oregon was substantial during the two-year period specified in subsection (1) of this section. Evidence that medical gas system installation, maintenance or repair activity of the business was substantial consists only of evidence establishing the number of installations, maintenance visits or repairs of medical gas systems by a business or the number of hours that business personnel spent on medical gas system installation, maintenance or repair. Upon the receipt of satisfactory evidence that the medical gas system activity of the business in Oregon was substantial, the board shall issue a specialty registration for the business and special certificates to persons identified as employees of the business who are engaged in medical gas system installation, maintenance or repair. A registration or certificate issued under this subsection expires annually. The board may charge an annual fee for the registration and certificates issued to a business or employees of the business under this subsection, or for the renewal thereof, not to exceed $50. A registration or certificate issued under this subsection is not valid after July 1, 2006.

(3) A specialty registration issued under this section authorizes a business to employ persons to install, maintain and repair medical gas systems. A special certificate issued under this section authorizes the certified person to install, maintain and repair medical gas systems while in the employ of a business holding a specialty registration.

(4) The installation of a medical gas system pursuant to this section is subject to the same permit and inspection requirements as a medical gas system installed by a registered journeyman plumber.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of this 2001 Act is repealed July 1, 2006. The repeal of section 1 of this 2001 Act does not prevent the inspection and approval of a medical gas system installed prior to July 1, 2006, by a person described in section 1 of this 2001 Act.

SECTION 3. This 2001 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2001 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor June 26, 2001

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 26, 2001

Effective date June 26, 2001

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