HB 2699 changes Washington's landlord-tenant laws by requiring landlords to provide 60 days' written notice before ending fixed-term leases without cause (for leases between 6-12 months). It also extends notice periods to 30 days for nonpayment evictions in federally subsidized housing or properties with federally backed mortgages. The bill affects landlords and tenants statewide, particularly those in federally assisted housing programs or properties with federal loans. Key mechanisms include stricter notice requirements for evictions, clearer definitions of "covered" properties, and new rules for lease terminations without cause. These changes aim to provide greater stability for tenants while clarifying landlord obligations under state law.
HB 2631 requires three specific state agencies - the Secretary of State, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Office of the Insurance Commissioner - to adopt customer service standards similar to those in Governor’s Executive Order 25-06. These agencies must track service metrics, designate liaisons to coordinate with "Your Washington," create process maps for key services, and submit regular reports on customer feedback, digital accessibility, and plain language use. By mid-2026, they must develop and implement customer experience improvement plans focused on reducing service steps, shortening timelines, and enhancing digital self-service. The pilot program runs through 2029, with quarterly progress reports to be compiled by "Your Washington" for legislative review. The bill aims to expand statewide customer service improvements beyond cabinet agencies to agencies with significant public interaction.
HB 2691 adjusts Washington state's monthly school funding schedule to improve cash flow for public school districts. It increases early-year payments (e.g., raising March from 9% to 10% of annual funds) and reduces later payments (e.g., lowering July from 12.5% to 10%), distributing more funds earlier in the school year. This change directly affects all public school districts receiving state apportionment funds under RCW 28A.510.250. The bill maintains the total annual funding amount but shifts timing to help schools manage expenses throughout the year, with the new schedule effective September 1, 2026.
This bill requires parents who choose home-based instruction for their children to submit written declarations of their education plans when their child turns 6 and 7 years old. The declaration must include the child's name, age, and details about whether they are currently using home instruction or plan to enroll in public/private school. Parents must file this by September 15th each school year or within two weeks of the term start, with the local school superintendent. It also establishes annual testing requirements for home-schooled children and clarifies that home instruction rules apply only after age 8. This affects parents opting for home-based education instead of public or private school enrollment.
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.
HB 2695 exempts seasonal agricultural workers from Washington's mass layoff notice requirements when they are hired with a written agreement specifying their employment ends after a particular harvest or seasonal activity. This applies only if the employer disclosed the estimated end date at hiring and the workers understood their job was temporary. The bill modifies existing law to clarify that employers don't need to provide 60-day advance notice for seasonal farm workers in these circumstances. It does not affect year-round farm employees or other types of layoffs. This change directly impacts agricultural employers and seasonal farmworkers in Washington.
HB 2455 creates a two-year housing assistance pilot program for up to 50 youth in Washington's extended foster care system who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. The program provides rental assistance covering up to 24 months (until age 21), with participants paying no more than 30% of their income toward rent, based on local fair market rent. It requires the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to conduct transition planning for youth turning 21 and mandates a 2029 report detailing program outcomes, participant demographics, and costs by county. The bill directly affects youth aged 18-21 in extended foster care who face housing instability while navigating federal housing programs.
HB 2645 declares an emergency due to the April 22, 2025, closure of the Fairfax bridge on State Route 165, requiring immediate restoration of access across the Carbon River. The bill directs the transportation department to expedite rebuilding the bridge and grants the state secretary emergency authority to waive specific regulations, including inspection fees, utility commission rules, tax deadlines, and other state procedural requirements. This waiver power applies to all state obligations except those conflicting with federal funding conditions or First Amendment rights. The bill takes immediate effect to prioritize public safety and infrastructure repair on this critical route.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change how vacancies in Washington state legislative and partisan county offices are filled. It would require appointments by county legislative authorities (or the governor if they fail to agree within 60 days) for vacancies in partisan offices, with appointees needing to match the district of the vacant seat and, if the previous officeholder declared a party preference, also match that party. County central committees would nominate candidates for party-aligned appointments, and the appointee would serve until the next general election. The amendment applies only to offices where candidates ran as part of a political party.
HB 2690 clarifies that Washington electric utilities must provide low-income energy assistance specifically for electricity costs, not for other energy sources like natural gas or heating oil. The bill simplifies existing rules by removing duplicative administrative requirements and preventing utilities from covering non-electric energy expenses. It aims to reduce costs for utilities and ratepayers while preserving current assistance programs like weatherization and bill discounts. The law does not expand existing requirements or create new assistance programs, only clarifying how current obligations apply.
HB 2696 requires courts to confirm that the residence where a person is placed under conditional release (a "less restrictive alternative") is owned by the same entity operating the treatment or monitoring services. This directly affects individuals under court-ordered conditional release and the service providers (e.g., treatment centers, monitoring agencies) managing their placements. The key mechanism mandates this ownership verification before approving any release to a less restrictive setting, ensuring the facility managing the placement also owns the residence. The bill aims to align placement arrangements with accountability and safety requirements under existing law (RCW 71.09.096).
HB 2697 expands eligibility for a property tax break that helps owners maintain historic properties by allowing two additional 7-year extensions (totaling 24 years) for properties in cities under 20,000 population, removing the prior requirement for "distressed area" designation. It requires owners to apply 90 days before expiration for extensions, which local review boards may approve or deny at their discretion. The bill directly affects owners of qualifying historic properties in smaller cities, aiming to promote revitalization of historic districts. Extensions cannot be granted after January 1, 2057, and the tax break ends with the property's cost considered as new construction upon termination.
