2023 WA Legislative Tracker
The 2023 Washington State legislative session began on January 9 (see our full 2023 Legislative Advocacy Agenda), and we’re closely tracking the bills and budget items that can make a real impact for affordable housing. Scroll down to view the entire list, or use the buttons below to filter by topic or status. More bill numbers, links to bills, and ways to take action are expected throughout the first and second week of the session.
Ready to take action? Use the “urgent action needed” filter below for a list of bills you can support today, or try the “testify for homes” filter for opportunities to provide vital testimony at hearings!
Covenant Homeownership Account (HB 1474)
Support homeownership for those harmed by generations of systematic, racist, and discriminatory polices and practices by Washington State.
About the bill
A $100 Covenant Homeownership Assessment will be enacted to begin to repair the harm of decades of systematic, racist, and discriminatory polices that created barriers to credit and homeownership for BIPOC and other historically marginalized communities. The account will be dedicated to supporting homeownership for those who were harmed.
Read Bill Summary with FAQs.
Status details
May 8: Governor signed.
Apr 19: Senate President signed.
Apr 18: House Speaker signed.
Apr 17: House concurred in Senate amendments, bill passed 52-44.
Apr 7: Passed the Senate, 30-19.
Apr 4: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Apr 3: Passed out of executive session in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means, with amendments.
Mar 31: Public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee at 12:30 PM.
Mar 22: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Housing.
Mar 17: Public hearing in the Senate Housing Committee on March 17 at 10:30 AM.
Mar 2: Passed the House, 53-43.
Feb 24: Passed out of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Feb 22: Public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee at 1:30 PM.
Feb 15: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Housing.
Feb 14: Referred to House Appropriations Committee.
Feb 9: Passed out of the House Committee on Housing.
Feb 8: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
Feb 6: Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
Jan 20: Introduced in the House Housing Committee and Senate Housing Committee.
Affordable Homes Act (HB 1628)
Increase funding for affordable housing by expanding the Real Estate Excise Tax (REET).
About the bill
Expanded Real Estate Excise Tax (REET), with the revenues dedicated for affordable housing. This bill has two parts:
1) Create a new tier at the state level. A 4% excise tax on the portion of property sales price above $5 million. The revenues will be dedicated to the Housing Trust Fund, Apple Health and Homes account, a developmental disabilities trust account, and operations, maintenance and services for permanent supportive housing.
2) Create a new local option REET. Allows cities and counties to impose a 0.25% excise tax on property sales. The reveneus will be dedicated to building, acquiring, maintaining, and providing services for affordable housing, both rental and homeownership.
Status details
Apr 17: Referred to Rules 2 Review.
Apr 14: Passed out of the House Committee on Finance.
Feb 21: Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Feb 14: Referred to House Finance Committee.
Feb 10: Passed out of the House Committee on Local Government, referred to House Finance Committee.
Feb 8: Scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 8:00 AM.
Feb 7: Scheduled for a public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.
Jan 25: Introduced in the House Local Government Committee.
Transit Oriented Development (SB 5466)
Require cities to allow for more residential density near transit.
About the bill
The bill defines “station areas” as being within a 0.5 mile walking radius of light rail, commuter rail, streetcars and within a 0.25 mile walking radius of bus rapid transit. Within station areas, cities are:
- Prohibited from imposing a maximum density in terms of homes per acre.
- Prohibited from imposing parking requirements, except those dedicated exclusively for individuals with disabilities.
- Required to allow a minimum average Floor Area Ratio of 3 around fixed rail and 2.5 around bus rapid transit.
The bill requires 20% of the additional homes allowed to be affordable at less than 60% of Area Median Income, with a provision to allow cities with an existing inclusionary or incentive zoning program to depart from these requirements.
The bill also creates a competitive grant program to assist with financing affordable housing projects in station areas.
Status details
Mar 31: Passed out of the House Committee on Capital Budget.
Mar 30: Public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
Mar 28: Passed out of the House Committee on Housing.
Mar 16: Public hearing in the House Housing Committee at 8:00 AM.
Mar 1: Passed the Senate, 40-8.
Feb 23: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Transportation.
Feb 13: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Transportation at 4:00 PM.
Feb 7: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs. Public hearing held in the House Committee on Housing.
Jan 31: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs at 8:00 AM.
Jan 19: Introduced in the Senate and referred to Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs Committee.
Further reading
The Vast Potential of Pairing Transit and Homes in Washington State (Sightline Institute)
Middle Housing (HB 1110)
Create more affordable housing options by allowing gentle density through modest middle housing types in cities near job centers, transit, and amenity-rich neighborhoods.
About the bill
Require cities of more than 75,000 people to allow duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes throughout all residential zones. Require those cities to allow sixplexes within a quarter-mile radius of major transit or when at least two of the six homes are set-aside as affordable to people making less than 80% of Area Median Income.
Require cities of 25,000 to 75,000 people to allow duplexes throughout all residential zones. Require those cities to allow fourplexes throughout all residential zones within a quarter-mile radius of major transit or when at least one of the four homes are set-aside as affordable to people making less than 80% of Area Median Income.
Requires cities of less than 25,000 within the contiguous Puget Sound urban growth to allow duplexes throughout all residential zones.
Allows cities to exempt up to 25% of residential lots primarily dedicated to single-detached housing from the above density requirements if those areas are: designated as critical areas; are subject to sea level rise, flooding, or geological hazards over the next 100 years; are within a half-mile of a commercial airport with at least 9 million annual enplanements; and/or are determined by the Department of Commerce to be at risk of displacement or lacking water, sewer, stormwater, or fire protection services capacity.
Read about the bill HB 1110
Status details
May 8: Governor signed.
Apr 20: House Speaker signed. Senate President signed.
Apr 18: House concurred in Senate amendments, bill passed 79-18.
Apr 11: Passed the Senate, 35-14.
Apr 4: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Apr 3: Passed out of executive session in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means, with amendments.
Mar 31: Public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee at 12:30 AM.
Mar 22: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Housing.
Mar 17: Public hearing in the Senate Housing Committee on March 17 at 10:30 AM.
Mar 6: Passed the House, 75-21, with amendments.
Feb 24: Passed out of the House Committee on Appropriations 25-5, with amendments.
Feb 21: Public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee at 1:30pm.
Feb 10: Referred to House Appropriations Committee & Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Feb 8: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Housing, with amendments.
Feb 7: Passed out of the House Committee on Housing, with amendments.
Jan 25: SB 5190 heard by Senate Housing Committee.
Jan 17: HB 1110 heard by House Housing Committee.
Further reading
Missing Middle Housing Reform Returns for 2023 Legislative Session (The Urbanist)
Four big housing ideas that could reshape greater Seattle (KUOW’s The Ripple Effect)
Representative Jessica Bateman: A Multifaceted Approach to Housing Policy (Hacks & Wonks Podcast)
Invest $400 million in the Housing Trust Fund
Create a historic investment in affordable housing by allocating $400 million to the Housing Trust Fund.
More information
The Housing Trust Fund (HTF) assists low and very low-income residents in meeting their basic housing needs. The HTF is funded through the Capital Budget and its funds are used to build and preserve affordable housing throughout Washington state. The HTF is the state’s best tool for ensuring access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing.
Utility Connection Fee Waiver (HB 1326)
Allow jurisdictions to waive utility connection fees for affordable housing.
About the bill
Municipal utilities formed under this chapter may waive connection charges for properties used by a nonprofit organization, a public development authority, a housing authority, a local agency, or any other legal entity that provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, or affordable housing.
Status details
Apr 18: Delivered to Governor.
Apr 17: Senate President signed.
Apr 14: House Speaker signed.
Apr 13: House concurred in Senate amendments, passed bill 84-12.
Apr 6: Passed the Senate, 45-1.
Mar 30: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 16: Passed out of executive session in the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs.
Mar 9: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs at 10:30 AM.
Feb 6: Referred to Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs.
Feb 2: Passed the House 83-15.
Jan 31: Referred to House Rules Committee.
Jan 27: Passed out of the House Committee on Local Government at 10:30 AM.
Jan 24: Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government.
Surplus Property for Affordable Homeownership (HB 1695)
Allows transfer of surplus public property for affordable homeownership.
About the bill
Updates the definition of affordable housing for the transfer, lease, or disposal of surplus public property to include permanently affordable homeownership models. For affordable homeownership, housing-related costs can be no more than 38% of the household’s income, and total household debt can be no more than 45 percent of monthly household income.
Status details
Apr 19: Delivered to Governor.
Apr 18: Senate President signed.
Apr 14: House Speaker signed.
Apr 12: Passed the Senate, 48-0.
Apr 10: Placed on second reading by the Rules Committee.
Mar 24: Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Mar 22: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Housing.
Mar 10: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing at 10:30 AM.
Feb 28: Passed the House, 97-0.
Feb 14: Passed out of the House Committee on Housing unanimously.
Feb 13: Public hearing in the House Committee on Housing at 1:30 PM.
Condominium Reform Act (SB 5258)
Incentivize new homeownership opportunities by reforming condominium regulations.
About the bill
Improve the “right to cure” process for construction defects.
Encourage the development of smaller condo projects (12 homes or less), by exempting them from the statutory condo warranties and subjecting them to the residential building code and residential energy code, not the commercial codes.
Exempt low-income first-time homebuyers from the State Real Estate Excise Tax (REET).
Modify the impact fee statute so it is in proportion to the number of bedrooms/square footage of the dwelling.
Status details
May 8: Governor signed.
Apr 23: House Speaker signed.
Apr 22: Senate President signed.
Apr 21: Senate concurred in House amendments, passed bill 49-0.
Apr 20: Passed the House, 98-0.
Apr 19: Passed out of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Apr 18: Public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations.
Apr 4: Referred to House Appropriations.
Mar 31: Passed the Senate, 48-0.
Mar 28: Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
Mar 16: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means.
Mar 9: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
Feb 17: Referred to Senate Ways & Means Committee.
Feb 16: Passed out of the Senate Committee on Law & Justice.
Jan 23: Hearing held with Senate Law & Justice Committee.
Wealth Tax (HB 1473/SB 5486)
Create a 1% wealth tax.
About the bill
Impose an annual 1% wealth tax on financial assets owned above $250 million, such as stocks and bonds. This tax would affect the richest 700 Washington households and raise an estimated $3 billion per year. Funds would be dedicated for education, affordable housing, disability care, and tax credits for low- and middle-income families.
Status details
Mar 9: Public hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on March 9 at 4 PM.
Feb 14: Public hearing in the House Committee on Finance at 8:00 AM.
Jan. 20: Referred to House Finance Committee and Senate Committee on Ways & Means.
Support the Governor’s $4 billion bond proposal (HB 1149/SB 5202)
Raises $4 billion over 6 years for affordable housing by issuing bonds outside Washington State’s debt limit.
More information
The referendum bonds would not raise taxes, but instead bond against state revenue. It requires voter approval, in addition to legislative approval. Revenues would be paired with regular capital budget funding, and finance a broad range of affordable housing priorities, including the Housing Trust Fund, permanent supportive housing, affordable homeownership, land acquisition, and a transit-oriented housing development partnership program.
Status details
Feb 1: SB 5202 passed out of executive session in the Senate Housing Committee.
Jan 18: Hearing with Senate Housing Committee held for SB 5202.
Jan 12: Hearing with House Capital Budget Committee for HB 1149.
Further reading
Housing Benefits Districts (HB 1111)
Acquire land near transit for affordable housing.
About the bill
Enable cities to establish housing benefit districts (HBD) for acquisition and disposition of land for affordable homes within 0.5 miles of light rail and bus rapid transit. The bill would create a competitive grant program for cities to apply to. Elligible uses of the funds are land acquisition, infrastructure development, and equitable station area planning. At least 34% of the acquired land must be transferred at a discounted rate for affordable housing, some sold for workforce housing, and no more than 33% sold for market housing at full market price (with all proceeds used to purchase more land for affordable housing).
Status details
Feb 22: Public hearing in the House Capital Budget Committee.
Feb 10: Referred to House Capital Budget Committee.
Feb 7: Passed out of the House Committee on Housing, with amendments.
Jan 19: Hearing with House Housing Committee.
Jan 9: First reading; referred to House Housing Committee.
Further reading
Four big housing ideas that could reshape greater Seattle (KUOW’s The Ripple Effect)
Lot Splitting (HB 1245)
Help homeowners stay in their homes and communities while creating lower-cost home options for others.
About the bill
Require cities to allow one lot split within residential zoned land, provided that each resulting lot is at least 2,000 square feet and at least 40% of the size of the original lot. It prohibits lot splits that would require demolition or alteration of housing that has been rented by a tenant within the last year.
Status details
Mar 14: Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs at 8:00 AM.
Mar 1: Passed the House, 94-2.
Feb 6: Referred to Rules Committee.
Feb 2: Passed out of the House Housing Committee and Senate Committee on Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs in executive session.
Jan 26: Public hearing held in the House Housing Committee.
Further reading
Bill Brief highlighting impacts on Black homeownership (Sightline)
Rent Increase Notice (HB 1124)
Require six months’ notice for rent increases above 5%.
About the bill
Require landlords to provide at least 180 days’ notice for rent increases over 5 percent. Allow a tenant to terminate a tenancy without penalty for any rent increase over 5 percent. Limits late rental payment fees to $75.
Status details
Jan 30: Referred to House Rules Committee.
Jan 26: Passed out of the House Housing Committee at 8:00 AM.
Jan 12: Public hearing in the House Housing Committee.
Rent Stabilization (HB 1389)
Enact statewide limits on rent increases.
About the bill
Limit rent increases for most tenants to the greater of 3% or the inflation rate, up to a maximum of 7%. Exempt homes built within the past 12 years and those owned and operated by a public housing authority, public development authority, or nonprofit organization where maximum rents are regulated by other laws or affordable housing requirements. Prohibits differential treatment based on whether tenancy is month-to-month or longer term. Restricts rent for new tenants if the prior tenant was evicted, but otherwise does not restrict rents after vacancy.
Status details
Feb 24: Passed out of the House Committee on Appropriations, with amendments to expand the exemption for affordable housing.
Feb 22: HB 1389 scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Appropriations at 1:30 PM.
Feb 9: Passed out of the House Housing Committee, referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
Jan 24: Public hearing in the House Housing Committee.
