SB 6214 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Establishing land banking authorities.

SB 6214 creates a framework for Washington cities and counties to establish land banking authorities - public or nonprofit entities - that hold land tax-exempt for affordable housing development. These land banks must prioritize equity by preventing displacement and addressing historical inequities, and at least 50% of land they lease or sell must include 30-year affordability requirements: rental units must stay affordable to households earning ≤80% of area median income, and owner-occupied units ≤120% of area median income. The bill requires annual public reporting on land acquisitions, dispositions, and how activities align with local housing plans and equity goals. It directly affects local governments, housing developers, and low-to-moderate income residents seeking affordable homes.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 19, 2026 Last action Feb 4, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 6 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to rename the entity from 'land bank' to 'land bank authority' and expanded its scope to allow cities, in addition to counties, to establish these entities. The bill was also updated to include new definitions and references to additional statutes, while removing specific requirements for advisory board composition and certain grant eligibility conditions.
Scope change
The bill's applicability was expanded to include cities (previously only counties) and the terminology was standardized to 'land bank authority' throughout the text.
SCOPE

Expanded authority to allow cities, not just counties, to authorize land bank authorities.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'land bank authority' and redefined 'land bank' to refer to the inventory of property rather than the entity itself.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the specific requirement for a nine-member advisory board with designated expertise and the mandate to reflect the region's racial and ethnic makeup.

Deleted the mandate for land banks to maintain a specific 33/33 mix of affordable and market-rate housing.

FISCAL

Removed the requirement that counties levy a local tax or expedite permits to be eligible for state land bank grants.

TECHNICAL

Updated the list of amended statutes to include additional chapters and corrected the bill's title and reading date.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means.
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
And refer to Ways & Means.
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; do not pass.
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors