Panel backs expanding L&I rulemaking authority for asbestos training, industry raises concerns
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Summary
SB 6,188 would give the Department of Labor and Industries broader authority to adopt asbestos certification standards beyond what is strictly required by federal law; sponsor and staff cited worker safety and examples of improper asbestos removal; building industry groups warned of regulatory conflict and cost.
Committee staff read SB 6,188 as an agency request from the Department of Labor and Industries to expand the department’s authority to set asbestos training and certification requirements.
Jarrett Sachs said current state law limits L&I’s rulemaking to only those rules necessary to meet federal stringency, and the bill would remove that specific limitation so the agency could adopt additional requirements such as parts of the EPA’s model accreditation plan. Sachs said a fiscal note was requested and returned showing no fiscal impact.
Senator Victoria Hunt, the prime sponsor, told the committee she supports the bill so L&I can better protect workers handling asbestos, citing a recent 2025 complaint in which workers performed asbestos removal without proper training and a supervisor had misrepresented conditions. Hunt said roughly 15 states already have broader certification rules.
Industry groups opposed the bill’s approach. Mike Ennis of the Building Industry Association said state divergence from federal asbestos rules could create conflicting regulatory regimes and added that members already comply with federal reporting, training and disposal requirements. Senators asked agency staff and stakeholders to continue conversations about how to implement standards while balancing costs and regulatory clarity.
Senators closed the public testimony with staff and sponsor pledging continued outreach before any committee action.
