SB 5749 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Concerning housing development opportunity zones.

SB 5749 allows cities and code cities to designate "housing development opportunity zones" in underutilized areas with existing large commercial structures, such as shopping malls or vacant stores. Within these zones, residential development is prioritized, and projects are encouraged to use existing infrastructure and site areas to help reduce costs. Cities may also waive impact fees for developments in these zones, and designations can be implemented outside of typical planning cycles, provided they are included in the next comprehensive plan update. The bill mandates a review by 2043 to assess the number of housing and affordable housing units created, with a provision for potential repeal if affordable housing targets are not met, and the act is set to expire on July 1, 2045.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Jan 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Last action Jan 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill → Substitute Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to add a Senate Housing committee sponsor and a new expiration date, while removing the original bill's date and sponsor list. The core policy regarding housing development opportunity zones remains unchanged, but the bill now includes a requirement for a legislative audit to evaluate the program's success and a specific sunset date of July 1, 2045.

Scope change

The bill's scope is now limited to a specific timeframe ending on July 1, 2045, and it explicitly requires a legislative review to assess the creation of affordable housing units within the designated zones.

TIMELINE

Added a specific expiration date of July 1, 2045, meaning the law will automatically end after this date unless renewed.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a requirement for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to evaluate the number of housing units created by July 1, 2043, with a provision to repeal the authorization if affordable housing goals are not met.

TECHNICAL

Updated the bill header to reflect the Senate Housing committee and changed the reading date from February 13 to February 21, 2025.

Removed the original bill number (S-1343.1) and the initial reading date of February 13, 2025.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

49–2

Passed

Total votes 51

Mar 7, 2025

D Democratic31

29 Yea 2 Nay

93% Yea

R Republican20

20 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. On motion, referred to Housing.

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Introduced

By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

upper

Mar 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 8:00 AM.

lower

Mar 7, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (49-2)

senate

Feb 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.

upper

Feb 19, 2025

Upper · Passed

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.

upper

1 primary · 9 co-sponsors