House Bill 1857 would help businesses and labor groups reduce the cost of construction by exempting commercial aggregates or asphalt and concrete materials from restrictions
On Wednesday (March 12), the Washington State House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a bipartisan bill from Rep. John Ley, his first as a state representative.
House Bill 1857 would help businesses and labor groups reduce the cost of construction by exempting commercial aggregates or asphalt and concrete materials from restrictions pertaining to labeling and the use of naturally occurring asbestos-containing building materials.
“This legislation would exempt commercial aggregates from the current policy because of the costs it imposes on industry and construction,” said Ley, R-Vancouver. “This policy would benefit communities by allowing them to provide cheaper, locally harvested aggregate for use in construction projects.”
HB 1857 would also exempt certain facility owners from asbestos inspection, management, and reporting requirements for commercial aggregates or asphalt and concrete material. Additionally, commercial aggregates would be exempted from the prohibition on manufacturing, wholesaling, or distributing asbestos-containing building materials for sale without labeling them and on using asbestos-containing building materials in new construction or renovations.
“This legislation would also benefit the environment and traffic by reducing the number of trucks coming from long distances to import the needed aggregate if this change were not made,” said Ley, who represents the 18th Legislative District.
“These materials are vital to the construction industry, specifically for roads, driveways, and parking lots,” Ley said. “These rocks and aggregates are the foundation of our construction industry, and this bill is a boost for local jobs.”
“Washington is dealing with an ongoing affordable housing crisis, and this policy provides a way to reduce manufacturing costs for builders,” said Ley. “If this bill reaches the governor’s desk, it will lower the cost of every new driveway and street by removing the cost of testing these materials and the facilities that manufacture them.”
The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Information provided by Washington State House Republicans, houserepublicans.wa.gov
Also read:
- Reps. Peter Abbarno and Ed Orcutt: Supplemental capital budget includes key investments for the 20th District
Projects in the 20th District will benefit from millions in state funds, with local schools, community centers, and infrastructure improvements highlighted by Reps. Abbarno and Orcutt. - Opinion: A troubling end to a disruptive session
Let’s Go Washington highlights multiple instances where legislative leaders dismissed historic public feedback, advanced controversial tax policies, and undermined constituent influence. - Opinion: Washington state is blowing up its no-income-tax advantage
Lawmakers advanced SB 6346 with an emergency clause, aiming to end Washington’s no-income-tax reputation and prevent voters from seeking a referendum. - Opinion: Labor to hit households
Households hiring for childcare or cleaning may soon need formal contracts due to a Washington law extending workplace rules to domestic arrangements. - POLL: What do you think will happen if Washington’s new income tax becomes law?
A new poll asks Clark County Today readers to predict what will happen if Washington’s nearly 10% tax on high incomes becomes law.
