A bipartisan bill aimed at reducing construction costs by easing restrictions on aggregate and asphalt materials, sponsored by 18th District Rep. John Ley, R-Vancouver, received overwhelming support from the Washington State House of Representatives and passed on Wednesday, March 12.
House Bill 1857 seeks to reduce material costs for construction by ifting certain asbestos-related regulations and tests affecting commercial aggregates, asphalt and concrete, a news release from the Washington state House Republicans stated. The bill would also exempt certain manufacturing facilities from inspection and management plan obligations, the news release stated.
“Washington is dealing with an ongoing affordable housing crisis, and this policy provides a way to reduce manufacturing costs for builders,” Ley said in the release. “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.”
HB 1857 now heads to the Senate for further consideration. For updates on its status, visit shorturl.at/UnEiQ.
