Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Labor & Workplace Standards Committee
SB 6188
Brief Description: Concerning the department of labor and industries' authority to enact rules related to regulating asbestos training.
Sponsors: Senators Hunt, Conway and Nobles; by request of Department of Labor & Industries.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Removes the provision that limits the Department of Labor and Industries' authority to adopt asbestos certification rules to only those rules that are specifically required to make the state's standards as stringent as federal asbestos laws.   
Hearing Date: 2/20/26
Staff: Trudes Tango (786-7384).
Background:

State Asbestos Laws and Rules.

Except under limited circumstances, before a person can undertake an asbestos project, the person must provide written notice to the Department of Labor and Industries (Department).  To work on an asbestos project, an employee or individual must be certified by the Department as a certified asbestos worker or certified asbestos supervisor.    

 

To become certified, a person must take a multi-day training course and pass an examination.  The Department may deny, suspend, or revoke a certificate for failure of the holder to comply with any requirement under the state's asbestos laws. 

 

The Department must adopt rules regarding certifications and denials, suspensions, and revocations.  However, the Department's authority to adopt rules is limited to rules that are specifically required, and only to the extent specifically required, for the standards to be as stringent as the applicable federal asbestos laws.

 

An "asbestos project" is the construction, demolition, repair, maintenance, remodeling, or renovation of any public or private building or mechanical piping equipment or systems involving the demolition, removal, encapsulation, salvage, or disposal of material, or outdoor activity releasing or likely to release asbestos fibers into the air. 

 

Federal Asbestos Laws and Regulations.

The federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) and its regulations requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt a model accreditation plan (MAP) for asbestos abatement on certain projects.  The MAP applies to asbestos abatement and projects on schools and public and commercial buildings.  The MAP covers requirements for training, examinations, and other accreditation qualifications for individuals working with asbestos. 
Summary of Bill:

The provision limiting the Department's rulemaking authority for asbestos certification requirements to rules that are specifically required, and only to the extent specifically required, for the state's standards to be as stringent as applicable federal laws is removed. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.