2021 Legislative Advocacy

HDC is committed to ensuring our members have the information they need to have an active voice as legislative policies and budgets are crafted and passed each year.

This page will help you stay up to date. Please check back often for new details and information to help your voice be heard!

2021 State Legislative Agenda

How to Testify

Use the links below to register to testify on any bill, in any committee. You’ll find specific instructions on the page, but remember: Remote testimony registration closes one hour before the hearing’s starting time. 

Sign up to testify remotely in the Senate: app.leg.wa.gov/CSIRemote/Senate

Sign up to testify remotely in the House: app.leg.wa.gov/CSIRemote/House

Priority Bills

HB 1083

Concerning relocation assistance to owners of manufactured homes when the community is closed.

HB 1441

Prohibiting discrimination against tenants in future housing applications for inability to pay rent during the COVID-19.

SB 5211

Authorizing tax increment financing for local governments.

ESHB 1368

$2.2 billion COVID-19 relief package

SHB 1070

Fixes HB 1590 and revises the Hotel Motel Lodging Tax income range to allow the use of revenue to include 0-30% AMI. 

HB 1220

Supports emergency shelters and housing through local planning and development regulations.

HB 1277, SB 5279

Provides an additional revenue source for eviction prevention and housing stability services. (Also known as the Document Recording Fee Bill)

SB 5138

Eliminates a business and occupation tax deduction for funding affordable housing.

HB 1128 

Supports housing benefit districts.

SB 5287

Expands MFTE to all cities and urban growth areas within any county with a population of at least 2 million. Adds affordability requirements and modifies the income requirements for 8-year MFTE. Increases affordability requirements and modifies the income reqs for 12-year MFTE. Authorizes a 12-year extension of existing MFTEs that are set to expire. Establishes a new 20-year property tax exemption for the creation of permanently affordable homes

SB 5096

Capital gains tax of 9% on top of Federal Capital Gains Tax. Revenue will be added to the state general fund. 

SB 5160

Provides tenant protections during/after public health emergencies, provides for legal representation in eviction cases, and authorizes landlord access to state rental assistance programs. 

HB 1099

Adds climate change planning to the GMA. 

HB 1337

Offers special state tax incentives for cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act through a small grant program, in exchange for adopting a strong model ADU code.

Healthy Homes & Clean Buildings – HB 1084, SB 5093

Amends WA’s energy codes towards phasing out certain utilities for single family and multifamily homes. See FAQ for more info. 

SB 5043

Provides housing to school district employees. 

Capital Budget – SB 5083, HB 1080

  • Housing Trust Fund
  • Rapid Acquisition of buildings for shelter (to be converted to affordable housing after pandemic)
  • Preservation of affordable housing (USDA, Project Based Section 8, etc.)
  • Other Capital Budget investments (Mitigation Fund, Utility Connection Fee Reduction Grants for affordable housing, Healthy Housing Remediation)

Operating Budget – SB 5092, HB 1094

  • Rental Assistance
  • O&M for Permanent Supportive Housing
  • Housing and Essential Needs
  • Local Shelter Capacity Grants
  • Foreclosure Prevention

Supplemental Op. Budget – SB 5091, HB 1093