SHB 1857
In CommitteeHouse
Asbestos building materials
Concerning asbestos-containing building materials.
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 tightens Washington’s regulation of asbestos in building materials by lowering the legal threshold for what counts as asbestos-containing from 1% to 0.1%, banning most new use of such materials (with key exceptions), and requiring regular inspections and management plans for asbestos in commercial and industrial buildings. It also updates labeling rules and defines key terms more precisely.
- Reduces the threshold for what counts as 'asbestos-containing building material' from more than 1% asbestos to more than 0.1% asbestos by weight or area, effective January 1, 2025.
- Prohibits use of asbestos-containing building materials in new construction or renovations, with exceptions for residential construction, pre-existing inventory, and certain contracts in place as of June 11, 2020.
- Requires building owners of certain commercial/industrial facilities to conduct asbestos inspections every 5 years, develop and maintain an asbestos management plan, and make it available to workers and agencies upon request.
- Mandates labeling of asbestos-containing building materials for sale (with exemptions for retailers and pre-installed materials), and allows manufacturers to request time-limited (up to 3 years) exemptions if labeling is infeasible or causes undue hardship.
- Expands the definition of 'asbestos' to include specific mineral types and their chemical registry numbers, and clarifies that 'building material' excludes vehicles and mobile equipment.
Who is affected
- Manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors of building materials — Must follow new labeling rules for asbestos-containing building materials sold after January 1, 2025, and may request exemptions if compliance is technically infeasible or causes undue economic hardship.
- Building owners (especially of commercial, industrial, or multi-family residential properties) — Must conduct inspections for asbestos in facilities (e.g., schools, offices, apartment buildings) every five years and maintain an asbestos management plan, including location maps and safety procedures.
- Residential contractors and builders — May continue using asbestos-containing materials in residential construction (e.g., single-family homes, duplexes, apartments up to four stories) and in materials already ordered or in stock as of June 11, 2020.
- Retailers of building materials — Must follow new, stricter thresholds for asbestos in building materials and may need to adjust sourcing or labeling practices to comply with state law.
- Workers and contractors performing construction, renovation, or maintenance — May be required to provide or receive asbestos management plans and must follow workplace safety rules related to asbestos exposure.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Lowers the legal threshold for asbestos-containing materials from 1% to 0.1%—a 10-fold tightening—dramatically increasing detection sensitivity and reducing the risk of underreporting asbestos, thereby better protecting workers, residents, and the public from exposure to carcinogenic fibers.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(2)(b), 70A.450.020(2)Bans asbestos in new construction and renovations (except residential and limited exceptions), significantly reducing future asbestos use and long-term exposure risk for construction workers, building occupants, and future maintenance crews—aligning with national and international trends toward asbestos phaseout.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1), 70A.450.060(1)Requires asbestos management plans to include worker training and communication protocols, improving transparency and preparedness for contractors and maintenance staff who may encounter asbestos during renovations or repairs.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 4(1)(b)(viii), 70A.450.070(1)(b)(viii)Mandates availability of asbestos management plans to workers and agencies, enabling better-informed decisions about safe work practices and increasing accountability—especially beneficial for unionized trades and occupational health monitors.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 4(2), 70A.450.070(2)Expands the statutory definition of asbestos to include specific mineral types and CAS numbers, reducing regulatory ambiguity and enabling more precise enforcement—helping prevent substitution with other hazardous asbestos-group minerals not previously covered.
EnvironmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(1), 70A.450.020(1)
Potential Concerns (5)
Mandates new labeling and potential reformulation of building materials for manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors, increasing compliance costs and potentially limiting supply of certain materials—especially for small producers who lack economies of scale to absorb regulatory costs or retool production lines.
Business & EmploymentIndustryRef: Sec. 2(1), 70A.450.030(1)Prohibits asbestos-containing materials in most new construction and renovations, which may increase material costs for commercial/industrial projects and reduce availability of low-cost building components—particularly impactful for budget-constrained public infrastructure projects and small contractors without alternative sourcing.
Business & EmploymentIndustryRef: Sec. 3(1), 70A.450.060(1)Requires commercial/industrial building owners to conduct professional asbestos inspections every 5 years and maintain updated management plans—including certified personnel, documentation, and site updates—imposing recurring administrative and labor costs on property managers, especially for multi-property portfolios or aging infrastructure.
Business & EmploymentLean industryRef: Sec. 4(1)(a)-(b), 70A.450.070(1)While intended to improve safety, the bill does not mandate asbestos abatement—only inspection and management—so existing asbestos remains in place, and worker exposure risk depends on enforcement and compliance; inconsistent implementation across jurisdictions may reduce effectiveness.
Public SafetyLean peopleRef: Sec. 4(2), 70A.450.070(2)Exemptions for pre-existing inventory and contracts as of June 11, 2020 disproportionately benefit large firms with existing stockpiles or long-term contracts, while smaller firms without such reserves face immediate compliance costs and supply chain disruption.
Business & EmploymentIndustryRef: Sec. 2(3), 70A.450.030(3)
Who Is Most Affected
Large building material manufacturers and distributors face significant compliance costs for labeling, testing, and potential reformulation; however, large firms are more likely to absorb costs or pass them to customers, while smaller suppliers may struggle or exit the market.
Commercial and industrial building owners face recurring inspection and plan-maintenance costs, but benefit from reduced liability and improved occupant safety; multi-family residential property owners (e.g., apartment complexes) are especially affected due to scale and occupancy risks.
Residential contractors and builders retain access to asbestos-containing materials for low-rise residential work, but may face confusion or increased paperwork due to stricter labeling and inspection requirements—even though exempt from the ban.
Retailers face new labeling obligations and sourcing constraints, but are partially shielded by exemption for pre-installed materials; small hardware stores and specialty suppliers may bear disproportionate burden relative to big-box retailers.
Workers and contractors benefit from improved transparency and reduced long-term exposure risk, especially in older buildings; however, short-term costs (e.g., training, PPE, slower work due to asbestos protocols) may fall on hourly laborers and subcontractors.