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House advances training requirement for natural gas technicians to reduce CO risk
Summary
House Bill 133 requires minimum training for technicians who install and repair natural gas appliances to reduce carbon monoxide risk; sponsor said the bill does not create new licensing and allows trade association training to qualify.
Representative Gordon Snow explained House Bill 133, which would require technicians who install and repair natural gas appliances (hot water heaters, fireplaces, furnaces) to receive training on proper installation and adjustment. Snow emphasized that the bill “does not create new licensing” and instead requires that technicians be “properly trained” and allows trade-association training and apprenticeships to qualify.
Snow framed the bill as a safety measure: improperly adjusted natural gas appliances can cause carbon monoxide poisoning and shorten equipment life. He noted that changes in the gas supplier’s service practice (Questar no longer performing some adjustments as a service) motivated the proposal. Representative Hutchings, a cosponsor, urged support for senior citizens who are vulnerable to carbon monoxide exposure and cited a BYU study linking low-level CO exposure to chronic fatigue and depression.
Members waived extended summation and voting was opened; the transcript shows a positive floor vote and referral to the Senate for further consideration.
