Priority Actions
Support Rent Stabilization
This bill, HB 1217, Improving Housing Stability for Tenants Subject to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act, would improve the current situation of rent gouging and short notices to tenants, making them unable to adjust to rent increases. It would limit rent and fee increases to 7% during any 12-month period and prohibit rent and fee increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy for tenants subject to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act, regardless of the length or type of lease, with certain exemptions. It would also provide a variety of other tenant protections. Additionally, it would require the Department of Commerce to create an online landlord resource center and to contract with an independent third party to carry out a social vulnerability assessment of the impacts of rent stabilization as well as require the Attorney General to publish model lease provisions regarding rent and fee increases. A public hearing on this bill passed the House Housing Committee as a substitute on January 20 and is scheduled for 4:00 pm on Monday, February 3 in the House Appropriations Committee. Its companion bill, SB 5222, had a public hearing on January 22 but has not been scheduled for executive session.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 1217 HERE by 3:00 pm on Monday, February 3.
Support Parking Reform
This bill, HB 1299, Concerning Minimum Parking Requirements, addresses parking requirements that are often excessive compared to the actual utilization and this costs developers of affordable housing more. Additionally, with the emphasis on transit oriented development, far fewer parking spaces are necessary either for residential or commercial sites. This bill would limit the number of parking spots that cities and counties may impose for residential and commercial buildings of a certain size and prohibit minimum parking requirements for specified building types. This would enhance greater use of transit and other multi-modal options and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This bill is scheduled for public hearing at 10:30 am on Tuesday, February 4 in the House Local Government Committee. Its companion bill, SB 5184, had a public hearing on January 24 and is scheduled for executive session in the Senate Housing Committee on Wednesday, February 5.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on HB 1299 HERE by 9:30 am on Tuesday, February 4.
Support 'Right to Repair' and Reduce Waste
This bill, SB 5423, Right to Repair: Digital Electronics Repair, championed by Senator Derek Stanford, supports the servicing and right to repair of certain products with digital electronics in a secure and reliable manner. It requires digital electronic product manufacturers, such as Apple and Microsoft, to make repair information, parts and tools available to independent repair businesses and owners. On average, Washington disposes of 8,700 phones every day. This bill would make it possible for small businesses to repair these items. Extending the life of computers, tablets and cellphones, and appliances reduces the burden on manufacturing new products – therefore also decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. This bill will lower costs for consumers, get used digital electronics into the hands of people who need them, and help overcome digital inequities in Washington. This way, people will keep using their items instead of tossing them. The companion bill HB 1483 was heard in the House Technology, Economic Development, & Veterans committee on January 31 but has not been scheduled yet for executive session. The bill is being heard in the Senate Environment, Energy, & Technology Committee, at 8:00 am on Wednesday, February 5.
⚠️ Sign in PRO on SB 5423 HERE by 7:00 am on Wednesday, February 5.
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