February 10, 2026950February 26, 2026480

I, Bernard Dean, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2228 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.

Chief Clerk

Secretary of State

State of Washington

SHB 2228.PLSUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2228Passed Legislature2026 Regular Session69th Legislature2026 Regular SessionHouse Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Zahn, Duerr, Ramel, Peterson, Parshley, Lekanoff, Reed, Thomas, Gregerson, Ormsby, Hill, and Bernbaum)READ FIRST TIME 01/27/26.Concerning scissor stair regulations in the state building code. AN ACT Relating to scissor stair regulations in the state building code; adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW; and providing an expiration date. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The state building code council shall convene a technical advisory group for the purpose of recommending amendments to the international building code that would allow scissor stairs serving occupancies containing sleeping units of more than two dwelling units in which the occupants are primarily permanent in nature. The recommendations must include considerations for public health, safety, and welfare, as well as construction costs.

(2) The advisory group shall provide its recommendations to the council in time for the council to adopt or amend rules and codes as necessary for implementation in the 2027 code update to the state building code.

(3) For the purpose of this section, "scissor stairs" means two interlocking stairways with two separate exits, that are separately enclosed and divided by fire-resistance rated assemblies.

(4) This section expires January 1, 2031.