Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB2228: Scissor stairs
Status: Signed into law, March 9, 2026
Concerning scissor stair regulations in the state building code.
What the bill says
An act Relating to scissor stair regulations in the state building code; adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
From the enrolled text:
AN ACT Relating to scissor stair regulations in the state building code; adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 19.27 RCW to read as follows: (1) The state building code council shall convene a technical advisory group for the purpose of recommending amendments to the international building code that would allow scissor stairs serving occupancies containing sleeping units of more than two dwelling units in which the occupants are primarily permanent in nature. The recommendations must include considerations for public health, safety, and welfare, as well as construction costs. (2) The advisory group shall provide its recommendations to the council in time for the council to adopt or amend rules and codes as necessary for implementation in the 2027 code update to the state building code. (3) For the purpose of this section, "scissor stairs" means two interlocking stairways with two separate exits, that are separately enclosed and divided by fire-resistance rated assemblies. (4) This section expires January 1, 2031. Passed by the House February 10, 2026. Passed by the Senate February 26, 2026. Approved by the Governor March 9, 2026. Filed in Office of Secretary of State March 10, 2026. --- END ---
Sponsors
- Janice Zahn (D) · primary sponsor
- Davina Duerr (D)
- Alex Ramel (D)
- Strom Peterson (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Debra Lekanoff (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Brianna Thomas (D)
- Mia Gregerson (D)
- Timm Ormsby (D)
- Natasha Hill (D)
- Adam Bernbaum (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 4, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 26, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Housing: Do pass (February 18, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 10, 2026): 95 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Local Government: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (January 23, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: BUILDING CODES AND PERMITS
Common questions
- What is HB2228?
- HB2228 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Scissor stairs.
- What does HB2228 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to scissor stair regulations in the state building code; adding a new section to chapter 19.27 RCW; and providing an expiration date. NEW SECTION.
- What is the status of HB2228?
- Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2228?
- Janice Zahn (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2228?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2228&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.