Housing

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 14, 2026

SB 5552: Concerning the creation of building codes for kit homes.

SB 5552 aims to create a new category of building codes specifically for "kit homes" to increase affordable housing options. The bill defines kit homes as residential structures 800 square feet or smaller, built from prefabricated walls, floors, and roofs assembled on-site. It directs the State Building Code Council to establish these specific building codes for kit homes by December 31, 2025. This initiative is intended to provide more affordable small homes for homebuyers of modest means.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates building codes for kit homes (≤800 sq ft) to boost affordable housing access for modest-income buyers, directly advancing affordable housing options.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5374: Including tribal representation in certain transportation activities.

Senate Bill 5374 is titled "Including tribal representation in certain transportation activities." While the bill's stated purpose is to incorporate tribal representation, the provided text primarily details amendments to comprehensive planning requirements for counties and cities. These amendments focus on strengthening land use elements to address environmental justice and wildfire risk, and enhancing housing elements to ensure adequate provisions for diverse income levels, address racially disparate impacts, and implement antidisplacement policies. The specific mechanisms for tribal representation in transportation activities are not detailed in this excerpt.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAmends housing elements to ensure diverse income provisions and address racial disparities, directly advancing housing equity goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5729: Encouraging construction of affordable housing by streamlining the permitting process.

This bill, SB 5729, aims to encourage the construction of affordable housing in Washington state by streamlining the project permit application process for local governments and developers. It requires local governments to determine if an application is complete within 28 days, or it is automatically deemed complete. The bill also allows applications certified by licensed professional engineers or architects to be deemed complete by building departments. Furthermore, it introduces a "deemed approved" mechanism if local governments conduct more than six reviews or requests for information without demonstrating clear violations. Finally, it mandates combining environmental review with permit review and limits the process to one open record hearing and one closed record appeal.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill streamlines permitting to accelerate affordable housing construction, directly advancing development goals through faster processing timelines and certified professional approvals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SJM 8006: Concerning the limited license legal technician program.

Senate Joint Memorial 8006 petitions the Washington State Supreme Court to reinstate and expand its Limited License Legal Technician (LLLT) program. The memorial asks the Court to reverse its 2020 decision to end the program, citing a current shortage of attorneys and a need for legal services among low and moderate-income Washingtonians. It specifically requests the expansion of LLLT services within one year to include administrative law, eviction, and debt assistance. Additionally, the memorial asks for a work group to be formed to explore how LLLTs could help individuals charged with offenses in courts of limited jurisdiction. The aim is to increase access to legal representation for those facing legal challenges.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands legal aid for eviction assistance, directly supporting tenant protections in housing disputes per LLLT program expansion request.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 5647: Providing a real estate excise tax exemption for the sale of qualified affordable housing.

Senate Bill 5647 establishes a new exemption from the real estate excise tax for the sale of properties designated as "qualified affordable housing." This means that sellers of these specific types of affordable homes would not be required to pay this tax. The bill achieves this by amending the existing state law that defines what constitutes a "sale" for real estate excise tax purposes, adding this new category of exempt transactions. This policy change aims to reduce the tax burden associated with the sale of affordable housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing burden on lower-income sellers, aligns with tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts affordable housing sales from real estate tax, reducing seller costs to encourage development and increase affordable housing supply.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5613: Concerning the development of clear and objective standards, conditions, and procedures for residential development.

Senate Bill 5613 aims to establish clear and objective standards for residential development across Washington state. It requires cities and counties to adopt these standards for residential projects by January 1, 2028, ensuring regulations do not create unreasonable costs or delays. The bill directs the Department of Commerce to form a stakeholder work group to analyze development barriers and suggest model codes. While promoting objective standards, it allows for an alternative approval process based on aesthetics, provided developers retain the option of using the clear and objective standards. These provisions apply to residential development within urban growth areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes objective standards to reduce development costs/delays, promoting housing supply and addressing development barriers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5469: Prohibiting algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements in the rental housing market.

Senate Bill 5469 aims to prevent certain data-sharing practices in the rental housing market that could lead to coordinated rent pricing. The bill makes it unlawful for "service providers" to collect and analyze rental data from multiple landlords and then recommend rental prices or terms to more than one landlord. It also prohibits landlords from subscribing to or contracting with these coordinating service providers. Violations would be considered unfair trade practices under the state's consumer protection act, allowing for enforcement by the attorney general or civil lawsuits by injured individuals.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill prohibits algorithmic rent fixing and noncompete agreements, preventing coordinated rent increases that harm tenants and protect tenant rights in housing.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly prohibits algorithmic rent fixing and data-sharing practices, restricting a specific technology application to prevent anti-competitive rent pricing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5749: 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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDesignates zones for residential development, waives impact fees, and prioritizes using existing infrastructure to lower costs, directly advancing housing development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 5576: Providing state funding for essential affordable housing programs.

Senate Bill 5576 allows counties, cities, and towns in Washington State to impose a new special excise tax of up to four percent on short-term rental lodging booked through online platforms. The revenue collected from this tax must be used exclusively for essential affordable housing programs. These funds can support activities such as acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing affordable housing, covering operations and maintenance costs for such housing, or providing rental assistance to tenants. Local governments are required to publish an annual report detailing how these tax revenues were spent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new 4% excise tax on short-term rentals to fund affordable housing programs, directly allocating tax revenue to public service spending.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates dedicated tax revenue (4% on short-term rentals) exclusively for affordable housing programs including construction, rehab, and rental assistance.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

signed · Washington · Senate May 20, 2025

SB 5686: Expanding and funding the foreclosure mediation program.

SB 5686 expands and funds the existing foreclosure mediation program, directly affecting homeowners facing foreclosure and unit owners (like those in condominiums or HOAs) facing delinquency for past-due assessments. It broadens the definition of residential real property to include properties with up to four units, bringing more individuals under the program's scope. The bill outlines housing counselors' duties to assist both borrowers and unit owners in good faith to reach resolutions with lenders or associations. It also clarifies that referrals to mediation can occur up to 90 days before a trustee's sale, or 25 days before an amended sale date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands and funds foreclosure mediation program, protecting homeowners from losing housing and broadening coverage to multi-unit properties, directly strengthening tenant/homeowner protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing