Committee approves HB 582 to align local asbestos inspections with federal rules for small residential projects

Lawmakers on the House Public Utilities and Energy Committee voted unanimously to advance HB 582 (substitute 1), which aligns local landfill and renovation asbestos-testing requirements for small residential properties with federal standards.

Sponsor Representative Peterson told the committee the bill modifies asbestos-testing requirements for residential structures of four or fewer units: properties constructed on or after Jan. 1, 1981 generally will not require asbestos testing, while specified building materials constructed between 1981 and 1992 are still listed for inspection.

Bryce Bird, director of the Division of Air Quality, described the change as deregulatory but stressed inspections remain important for public safety where suspect materials will be disturbed. Bird said most inspections are already done by contractors and renovation teams and that the bill mirrors DEQ rules that target inspection toward activities that will disturb regulated asbestos-containing materials.

The Utah Home Builders Association testified in favor, and the committee passed the bill with a favorable recommendation and placed it on the consent calendar.