Housing

signed · Washington · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 5313: Adding to the list of provisions prohibited from rental agreements.

This bill updates Washington state law by adding new provisions that cannot be included in residential rental agreements between landlords and tenants. It prohibits agreements that require tenants to waive their right to join class actions, sign nondisclosure agreements about lease terms, or pay late fees if rent is paid within five days of its due date. The bill also prevents rental agreements from mandating electronic-only rent payments. If a landlord knowingly uses a rental agreement with prohibited provisions, tenants may recover damages and attorney's fees. These changes apply to leases entered into or renewed on or after July 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord clauses that weaken tenant rights (class action waivers, late fees, electronic-only payments), strengthening tenant protections in housing agreements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Washington · House May 7, 2025

HB 1516: Conducting a study of insurance coverage options for permanently affordable homeownership units.

House Bill 1516 directs the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on insurance coverage options for permanently affordable homeownership units. The study's purpose is to explore ways to reduce costs related to condominium construction defect liability for homes sponsored by nonprofit organizations or government entities. It requires consultation with various stakeholders, including insurers, sponsoring organizations, and the construction industry. The Insurance Commissioner will submit a report to the legislature by December 31, 2026, including an analysis of risk pools and recommendations for new insurance mechanisms to lower these costs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs study to reduce insurance costs for nonprofit/govt affordable housing units, lowering development barriers for permanently affordable homeownership.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Washington · House May 7, 2025

HB 1217: Improving housing stability for tenants subject to the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of rent and fee increases, limiting fees and deposits, establishing a landlord resource center and associated services, authorizing tenant lease termination, creating parity between lease types, and providing for attorney general enforcement.

HB 1217 aims to improve housing stability for tenants in Washington state, applying to those under the residential landlord-tenant act and the manufactured/mobile home landlord-tenant act. It limits combined rent and fee increases to no more than seven percent within any 12-month period after the initial year of a tenancy, though some exemptions may apply. The bill also requires landlords to provide notice for increases, places limits on various fees and deposits, and allows tenants to terminate their lease if an increase is unlawful. Additionally, it establishes a landlord resource center and authorizes the Attorney General to enforce its provisions, providing specific remedies for tenants in cases of violation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits rent/fee increases to 7% annually, requires notice for increases, restricts fees/deposits, and strengthens tenant rights under landlord-tenant acts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 1177: Concerning the child welfare housing assistance program.

House Bill 1177 concerns the child welfare housing assistance program, which aims to reduce the need for foster care placement and shorten the time children spend in out-of-home care. The program provides housing vouchers, rental assistance, navigation, and support services to eligible families. These families include parents whose children are dependent and whose lack of appropriate housing is a barrier to reunification, or whose housing instability puts their child at risk of foster care. The department administers the program, often contracting with outside entities, in counties both east and west of the Cascade mountain range.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides housing vouchers, rental assistance, and support services to stabilize housing for families at risk of foster care, directly advancing affordable housing access and preventing homelessness.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1183: Concerning building code and development regulation reform.

HB 1183 reforms building codes and development regulations for cities and counties in Washington to encourage affordable and sustainable building practices. The bill mandates that cities allow for increased housing density, reduced parking requirements, and streamlined permitting when adding residential units within existing commercial or mixed-use buildings. It also provides flexibility in setback and roof height rules for existing buildings undergoing residential retrofits and for new construction or retrofits meeting "passive house" energy efficiency standards. These changes aim to reduce regulatory barriers for converting existing structures into homes and promote energy-efficient construction.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates increased housing density, reduced parking requirements, and streamlined permitting to encourage affordable housing development per bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1696: Modifying the covenant homeownership program.

This bill modifies Washington's covenant homeownership program, which provides down payment and closing cost assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers from historically marginalized communities. It raises the household income eligibility threshold for participants from 100% to 140% of the area median income. The bill also introduces a provision allowing for full loan forgiveness after five years for participants whose household income is at or below 80% of the area median income at the time of the loan. Additionally, it adjusts the membership of the program's oversight committee.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRaises income eligibility threshold for homeownership program and provides loan forgiveness for low-income participants, expanding access to affordable housing for marginalized communities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1353: Establishing a self-certification program for accessory dwelling unit project permit applications.

HB 1353 creates a program allowing cities in Washington to let registered architects self-certify that accessory dwelling unit (ADU) projects meet building code requirements, instead of requiring full city review. This directly affects homeowners building ADUs, architects who can self-certify, and cities that choose to adopt the program. Key provisions include mandatory random audits (at least 20% of applications yearly), penalties for failed audits (temporary suspension for first failure, permanent ban for second within 5 years), and requirements for architects to maintain insurance. Cities must also track and share audit results with a state database to prevent problematic architects from participating in other cities. The law aims to streamline ADU permitting while maintaining safety through oversight.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines ADU permitting to increase housing supply, aligning with affordable housing goals by reducing bureaucratic barriers for accessory dwelling units.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing

signed · Washington · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 1094: Providing a property tax exemption for property owned by a qualifying nonprofit organization and loaned, leased, or rented to and used by any government entity to provide character-building, benevolent, protective, or rehabilitative social services.

HB 1094 creates a property tax exemption for nonprofit organizations that loan, lease, or rent property to government entities (like cities, counties, or state agencies) for character-building, benevolent, protective, or rehabilitative social services - such as youth programs, homeless shelters, or community health initiatives. It directly affects qualifying nonprofits that provide these services and government agencies using their facilities. The key provision expands existing tax exemptions by allowing property used by government for these purposes to be exempt, even if owned by a nonprofit. This policy change aims to reduce costs for nonprofits and governments delivering essential community services, effective July 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for nonprofits providing social services, reducing tax burden to support public service delivery and fiscal alignment with government programs.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides tax exemption for nonprofits offering rehabilitative social services (e.g., homeless shelters, youth programs), directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation initiatives.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax exemption for nonprofits leasing to government for homeless shelters and social services, directly supporting affordable housing access and homelessness initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Housing