Housing

in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2512: Prohibiting real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to an exclusive group of prospective buyers or real estate brokers.

HB 2512 prohibits Washington real estate brokers from marketing residential properties exclusively to a limited group of potential buyers or other brokers. Instead, brokers must market properties to the general public and all other brokers simultaneously, unless health or safety concerns of the owner or occupant require an exception. The bill directly affects residential real estate brokers by requiring public marketing access and banning targeted marketing practices. It amends existing laws to enforce this standard and aligns with broader requirements for transparent broker conduct under Washington’s real estate regulations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents discriminatory marketing practices that could limit housing access, directly aligning with anti-discrimination protections in housing policy.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 27, 2026

HB 2381: Concerning performance-based building codes for low-rise residential buildings.

HB 2381 creates a performance-based compliance pathway for low-rise residential buildings (1-6 stories, up to 24 units) in Washington, replacing rigid prescriptive building code requirements. It directs the State Building Code Council to develop a new appendix to the building code, allowing builders to demonstrate compliance through measurable performance standards (like structural safety or energy efficiency) instead of specific construction methods. This system enables reuse of certified designs across jurisdictions, reduces redundant permitting reviews, and aligns with existing energy and emissions programs. The bill directly affects builders, developers, and local building departments by streamlining approvals and supporting industrialized housing production to address the state's housing shortage.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExplicitly includes energy efficiency as a measurable performance standard for building compliance, advancing energy efficiency goals in residential construction.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables energy efficiency performance standards in building codes, reducing long-term energy use and emissions without explicit environmental language.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates performance-based building code pathway for low-rise residential buildings, enabling more efficient construction and potentially increasing housing development by reducing regulatory barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Building Codes

Track

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 5957: Concerning the office of homeless youth prevention and protection programs advisory committee.

SB 5957 creates a new Office of Homeless Youth Prevention and Protection Programs within Washington's Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The office must reduce youth homelessness by addressing root causes and improve long-term housing stability for homeless youth and young adults (ages 12-24). It requires the office to collect data, develop statewide strategies, and consult an advisory committee with diverse representation - including youth, advocates, law enforcement, and people with lived experience of homelessness. The bill mandates measurable goals, such as tracking homelessness rates and family reunification status, and requires the office to be operational by January 1, 2016.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates office to reduce youth homelessness and improve housing stability for ages 12-24, directly advancing housing stability for vulnerable population.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · Washington · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2701: Concerning land use development.

HB 2701 amends Washington state land use laws to prioritize housing affordability in local planning. It reorganizes the state's comprehensive planning goals, elevating "Housing" as a top priority to ensure plans accommodate affordable housing for all income levels, while adding new climate resiliency goals. The bill targets local governments and developers by streamlining approval processes for housing projects consistent with adopted plans, aiming to reduce delays and costs that contribute to the housing shortage. It removes outdated provisions and creates a new framework to address the state's housing crisis, particularly impacting rural and marginalized communities. The changes apply to all counties and cities required to follow the Growth Management Act.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly adds 'climate resiliency goals' to land use planning, advancing environmental protection and climate adaptation efforts.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill elevates 'Housing' as top priority in planning, streamlines approvals for affordable housing projects, and targets delays/costs contributing to housing shortages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2664: Modifying requirements for service of unlawful detainer notices and other notices served in the same manner.

HB 2664 modifies how eviction notices (unlawful detainer notices) and similar legal notices must be delivered in Washington state. It clarifies service methods when tenants are absent or untraceable, allowing notices to be left on the property and mailed to the last known address, with a mandatory 5-day waiting period after mail delivery before eviction actions can begin. The bill directly affects tenants facing eviction, landlords seeking possession, and property management companies (including corporate owners). Key provisions specify acceptable service locations, required mailing procedures, and define how subtenants are handled in lodging situations.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAdds 5-day waiting period for eviction notices, strengthening tenant protections against sudden displacement85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

in committee · Washington · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 2621: Concerning property tax reform.

HB 2621 expands Washington's senior property tax relief program to cover more residents. It increases income thresholds for full exemption (from $50,000 to $70,000 for moderate income, and $60,000 to $80,000 for lowest income) and raises the property value cap for full exemption (to $500,000). Eligibility includes residents 61+ or disabled retirees, veterans with 40%+ disability rating, and surviving spouses 57+. The bill also streamlines how exemptions transfer when moving homes and requires clearer reporting on how property tax revenue is used. This directly affects seniors and disabled homeowners with limited income who own their primary residence.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax relief for seniors/disabled by raising income thresholds and property caps, providing direct tax relief to lower/middle income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands property tax relief for seniors, reducing housing costs and increasing affordability for vulnerable residents through higher income thresholds and property value caps.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans with 40%+ disability in expanded property tax relief program, directly advancing veteran financial benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Property Taxes Tags Seniors

Track

in committee · Washington · House Jan 19, 2026

HB 2265: Protecting tenants from periods of extreme heat.

HB 2265 requires landlords in Washington state to allow tenants to install portable air conditioners or evaporative coolers (like window units or floor models) without restriction, unless specific safety or structural concerns apply. Landlords may only prohibit such devices if installation violates building codes, damages property, exceeds electrical capacity, or conflicts with window egress requirements - prioritizing tenants with disabilities requiring cooling. The bill mandates landlords provide written lease notices detailing tenant rights and restrictions, and shields landlords from liability for tenant-installed device issues. This directly affects all residential tenants in Washington, particularly those in buildings without permanent AC during extreme heat events.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires landlords to allow tenant cooling devices, strengthening tenant protections during extreme heat events.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2451: Concerning local tax increment financing.

HB 2451 modifies Washington State's tax increment financing (TIF) rules to help local governments fund public improvements. It allows cities, counties, and other local jurisdictions to use increased property tax revenue from designated "increment areas" (geographic zones where property values rise after designation) to pay for eligible projects like roads, water systems, affordable housing, and park facilities. The bill sets limits: an increment area cannot exceed $200 million in assessed value (adjusted annually by the consumer price index) or 20% of a jurisdiction's total assessed value, whichever is smaller. It clarifies which costs qualify, including infrastructure, affordable housing development, and administrative expenses directly tied to TIF implementation. This bill directly affects local governments seeking to finance public projects through targeted tax revenue growth within specific zones.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables local governments to fund public improvements (roads, housing) using tax increment revenue, strengthening fiscal tools for public projects.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly designates affordable housing as an eligible TIF project, directly enabling local funding for housing development and affordability initiatives.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly lists roads as eligible TIF projects, enabling local funding for transportation infrastructure improvements within designated increment areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2489: Establishing statewide standards for when local governments may enforce laws regulating the use of public space for life-sustaining activities.

HB 2489 establishes statewide rules preventing local governments from penalizing people for basic life-sustaining activities (like sleeping or eating in public) when no adequate shelter is available. It requires cities to prove shelter space existed before enforcing public space laws, and invalidates citations or prosecutions that violate this rule. The bill protects individuals experiencing homelessness from punishment for necessary activities while ensuring enforcement actions are limited to immediate safety risks. It does not create a right to shelter, but mandates cities to document shelter availability and coordinate with service providers to address homelessness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents criminal penalties for homelessness-related activities when shelter unavailable, aligning with reform goals to reduce unnecessary criminalization of vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents criminalization of homelessness by requiring cities to prove shelter availability before enforcing public space laws, directly addressing homelessness as a housing issue.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Tenant Rights

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2228: Concerning scissor stair regulations in the state building code.

HB 2228 requires Washington's state building code council to form a technical advisory group to recommend changes allowing "scissor stairs" (interlocking stairways with separate exits) in multi-unit residential buildings with more than two permanent dwelling units. The group must consider public safety, health, and construction costs in its recommendations, which must be ready for the 2027 building code update. This bill directly affects builders and developers of apartment-style housing, aiming to potentially simplify stairwell designs in such buildings. The advisory process expires on January 1, 2031, with no immediate code changes enacted.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables scissor stairs in multi-unit housing, potentially reducing construction costs and facilitating more housing development per bill's focus on building code changes for apartment-style housing.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes