Housing

signed · Washington · House Mar 20, 2026

HB 2452: Modifying requirements for service of rent increase notices.

HB 2452 requires landlords in manufactured and mobile home communities to provide tenants with a standardized notice for rent increases, detailing the exact percentage and dollar amount of the increase. The notice must also explain if the increase exceeds Washington’s 5% annual limit and include supporting documentation for any claimed exemptions (such as community purchases or public housing programs). This applies specifically to tenants in manufactured/mobile home communities, not all rental properties. The bill amends existing laws to ensure transparency and compliance with rent increase rules.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates standardized rent increase notices with transparency on limits/exemptions, directly protecting tenants in mobile home communities from unclear or excessive hikes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 2338: Authorizing community scaled weatherization projects.

HB 2338 authorizes community-scale weatherization projects that cover multiple homes in the same neighborhood facing shared environmental, social, or economic challenges. Sponsors like community groups, tribes, or utilities can apply for state funds to implement energy efficiency upgrades, structural repairs, and healthy housing improvements across entire neighborhoods - rather than just single homes. The department must prioritize proposals serving areas with environmental health disparities and low-income households (defined as 80% of median income), requiring data-driven community assessments. Projects must include energy audits and avoid charging households for weatherization services, while aligning with federal energy efficiency programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes state funding for community weatherization projects, directing government spending toward essential housing and environmental improvements in disadvantaged areas.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill authorizes state funding for neighborhood energy efficiency upgrades, directly advancing energy conservation goals through weatherization projects.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAuthorizes neighborhood weatherization for energy efficiency and healthy housing, explicitly prioritizing areas with environmental health disparities to reduce emissions and address inequities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds neighborhood-scale housing improvements including structural repairs and healthy housing upgrades, targeting areas with environmental disparities to enhance housing quality and accessibility.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 16, 2026

SB 6091: Prohibiting real estate brokers from marketing residential properties to an exclusive group of prospective buyers or real estate brokers.

SB 6091 prohibits real estate brokers in Washington from marketing residential properties exclusively to a limited group of buyers or brokers, requiring them instead to concurrently market the property to the general public and all other brokers. This applies to brokers representing sellers, with exceptions only if necessary to protect the health or safety of the owner or occupant. The bill amends Washington’s real estate laws (RCW 18.86.031 and 18.86.120) to enforce this requirement, ensuring broader market access for residential properties. It directly affects real estate brokers and sellers who might otherwise restrict marketing to select buyers.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents discriminatory marketing practices by requiring open property access, aligning with fair housing protections against exclusionary tactics.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Washington · Senate Mar 14, 2026

SB 6149: Concerning the definition of "rural county" for purposes of public facilities funding.

SB 6149 updates Washington state's definition of "rural county" to determine eligibility for a dedicated sales tax funding public facilities. A county qualifies as rural if it has fewer than 100 people per square mile, lacks any city over 45,000 residents, or is smaller than 225 square miles. Rural counties can then impose a sales tax (up to 0.09%, or 0.04% for certain counties) to fund public facilities supporting job creation, affordable workforce housing, or economic development offices. Funds must be used for specific projects listed in economic development plans and reported annually to ensure alignment with job growth and housing goals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables rural counties to levy a small sales tax (up to 0.09%) for public facilities funding, directly supporting fiscal management and public spending initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly authorizes rural counties to use sales tax funds for 'affordable workforce housing' as a designated purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2650: Concerning notifications and effective dates for department of revenue administration of certain excise taxes.

HB 2650 creates a tax deferral program for property owners developing affordable housing on underdeveloped land (like surface parking lots) in qualifying cities. It requires owners to complete construction within three years, offer housing to low/moderate-income households (costing ≤30% of income), and submit verification to cities within 30 days of a certificate of occupancy. Cities must then confirm compliance with affordability and construction standards before the Department of Revenue finalizes the sales/use tax deferral. The bill directly affects property developers, local cities administering the program, and the Department of Revenue. If requirements aren’t met, cities can deny the deferral or require interest on nonqualifying taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deferral for affordable housing developers, reducing immediate tax burden to incentivize low-income housing construction.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax deferral for affordable housing development on underused land, requiring 30% income cap and city verification to increase affordable units.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

passed · Washington · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1717: Creating a sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing.

HB 1717 creates a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing projects in Washington. It allows cities and counties to adopt programs where developers of qualifying projects (with at least 50% units for low-income households at 30-38% of income for 40 years) can defer paying local sales taxes on construction costs. Developers must apply to local governments, meet affordability requirements, and complete projects within three years (extendable to five total), with local authorities setting application rules and oversight. The program directly affects nonprofit and for-profit housing developers, public housing authorities, and low-income households in qualifying projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deferral for affordable housing developers, providing fiscal incentive to fund low-income housing projects through local tax remittance program.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax deferral for affordable housing projects, reducing developer costs to increase low-income housing supply (50% units at 30-38% AMI for 40 years).95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

Track

signed · Washington · House Mar 9, 2026

HB 2269: Concerning middle housing in unincorporated areas.

HB 2269 allows counties to permit "middle housing" (like duplexes or small apartment buildings) on properties currently zoned for single-family homes in two specific areas: limited intensive rural development zones and designated urban growth areas. It requires counties to limit these projects to four units per lot and apply the same development standards (like setbacks and environmental rules) as single-family homes, without adding extra restrictions. The bill also mandates that middle housing in rural areas use public sewers or large on-site systems, while urban areas must have public water and sewer service. This policy directly affects property owners and developers in unincorporated Washington counties seeking to build more housing options.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPermits middle housing (duplexes/small apartments) in single-family zones to increase housing supply and affordability without added restrictions, directly advancing affordable housing development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing