HB 2378
In CommitteeHouse
HVAC scope/electricians
Directing the department of labor and industries to adopt rules clarifying the scope of work for HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians for ductless mini-split systems.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill clarifies that HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians in Washington can perform specific electrical wiring work on mini-split HVAC systems, such as connecting indoor and outdoor units, as long as they follow manufacturer instructions and safety standards. The goal is to reduce delays and costs in residential and light commercial installations while maintaining safety.
- Directs the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries to adopt new rules clarifying the scope of work for HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians specifically for mini-split HVAC systems.
- Allows certified HVAC/refrigeration electricians to install, repair, replace, and maintain electrical connections between indoor and outdoor units of mini-split systems — but only when the work follows the manufacturer’s instructions, uses equipment certified as a system by an accredited lab, and is limited to circuits and wiring integral to the system’s operation.
- Permits the Department to set reasonable limits on voltage, amperage, building occupancy, construction type, and installation conditions — as long as those limits support public safety and comply with the National Electrical Code.
- Explicitly preserves the Department’s authority to regulate electrical work and enforce safety standards, while preventing rules from banning the authorized work described above.
Who is affected
- HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians — HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians who hold this certification will be explicitly allowed to perform specific electrical wiring work on mini-split HVAC systems, clarifying their scope of practice and reducing ambiguity that may have previously limited their work.
- Residential and light commercial building owners — Homeowners and business owners who use or plan to install mini-split systems may benefit from faster, more affordable installations and clearer expectations about who can perform the electrical parts of the job.
- General contractors and HVAC installation companies — Contractors and construction firms may see reduced delays and costs on projects involving mini-split installations, as electrical work can be completed by certified HVAC electricians rather than requiring a separate licensed electrician.
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries — The agency will be required to adopt new rules defining the scope of work for HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians, and must ensure those rules align with safety standards and existing electrical codes.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
By allowing HVAC electricians to perform standardized mini-split electrical connections, the bill reduces the need to coordinate with a separate licensed electrician, cutting installation time and cost — directly lowering housing electrification barriers for homeowners and renters, especially in low- and moderate-income households seeking heat pumps under state incentive programs.
HousingPeopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(a)-(c)HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians gain explicit legal authority to perform a growing segment of residential work, increasing their job scope and income potential — particularly beneficial for certified workers in rural or small-town areas where full electricians may be scarce or expensive to hire.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Findings) & Sec. 2(2)By reducing installation friction and cost for mini-split systems — a key electrification tool — the bill supports Washington’s climate goals under the Clean Energy Transformation Act, accelerating adoption of efficient heat pumps and reducing fossil fuel use in homes and small businesses.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Findings) & Sec. 2(2)The bill explicitly ties authorized work to manufacturer instructions, system certification, and the National Electrical Code — reinforcing safety through standardized, prescriptive procedures rather than broad discretion, which can reduce miswiring and fire risk when properly enforced.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 (Findings) & Sec. 2(2)General contractors and HVAC firms gain scheduling and labor flexibility — they can complete mini-split installations in-house without coordinating with third-party electricians, reducing project timelines and overhead, which benefits small- and mid-sized contractors who serve residential markets.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 2(4)
Potential Concerns (3)
The bill may reduce demand for full-licensed electricians on mini-split jobs, potentially reducing hours or revenue for licensed electricians who specialize in residential HVAC electrical work — especially those who rely on such work as a steady revenue stream.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(2)(c)While the bill preserves L&I’s safety authority, the delegation of rulemaking to L&I introduces uncertainty — if rules are overly permissive or inconsistently enforced across regions, it could lead to inconsistent safety outcomes, especially in complex or nonstandard installations.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 2(3)The bill imposes a new rulemaking mandate on L&I with no identified funding, which could strain agency resources — particularly if demand for mini-split installations surges and L&I must expand oversight capacity without additional budget support.
Local GovernmentRef: Fiscal Impact section (not in bill text but in summary)
Who Is Most Affected
HVAC/refrigeration specialty electricians gain explicit legal authority to perform a growing portion of residential HVAC electrical work, expanding their scope and income potential — especially beneficial in areas with limited electrician availability.
Homeowners and small business owners benefit from faster, cheaper mini-split installations — particularly those in low- and moderate-income brackets who rely on state incentives to electrify heating/cooling.
General contractors and HVAC firms benefit from streamlined project execution and reduced coordination costs, but may see modest revenue shifts if licensed electricians lose mini-split work — net effect is positive for firms that self-perform HVAC installations.
Full-licensed electricians may see reduced demand for mini-split electrical work, especially those who specialize in residential HVAC — though the impact is likely modest since most mini-splits involve low-voltage, standardized connections outside their traditional high-skill scope.
L&I gains rulemaking authority but faces new administrative burden — if mini-split adoption accelerates rapidly, the agency may need more staff to oversee compliance, though no funding is allocated for this.