HB 1621 Washington House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Authorizing superior courts to appoint housing court commissioners.

HB 1621 authorizes superior courts in Washington state to appoint housing court commissioners to manage unlawful detainer (eviction) cases for residential and manufactured/mobile home tenancies. These commissioners, who must be attorneys, are intended to address court delays stemming from a high volume of eviction filings, thereby affecting both landlords and tenants. The creation of these positions requires the prior consent of the county's legislative authority. The commissioners will receive specific training on landlord-tenant laws and eviction procedures, and their decisions remain subject to review by the superior court.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Substitute Bill Substitute Passed Legislature · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill now includes a formal certification of enrollment confirming it passed both the House and Senate in the 2025 session. A key substantive change adds a specific training deadline for housing court commissioners, requiring them to complete mandatory training by July 26, 2025, rather than just 'as soon as reasonably practicable.'
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on housing court procedures, but the applicability of the training requirement is now time-bound to the 2025 session.
TIMELINE

Added a specific deadline of July 26, 2025, for housing court commissioners to complete mandatory training on landlord-tenant laws and eviction processes.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a formal certificate of enrollment to officially document that the bill has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for the governor's signature.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 26, 2025 · House Apr 21, 2025

How they voted

510
Passed
Total votes 51
Mar 26, 2025
D Democratic31
31 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
20 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
27
Key actions
12
Committee
7
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
Governor signed.
executive
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
President signed.
upper
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Speaker signed.
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed final passage; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendments.
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (51-0)
senate
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
HSG - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Committee
Referred to Rules 2 Review.
lower
Feb 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Executive action taken in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 10:30 AM.
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Public hearing in the House Committee on Civil Rights & Judiciary at 8:00 AM.
lower
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors