Legislative Update Week 16: TOD Passes!
It’s been a BIG week in Olympia, legislators had their last chance to vote on bills on the floor before the opposite chamber cutoff on Wednesday. Legislators now go into a process called concurrence, where the chamber of origin will vote to ‘concur’ on the amendments made in the second chamber. At that point, the bill is in its final form, and goes to the Governor’s desk for signature!
This has been a major year for housing policy in Washington- read on for updates, and thank you for being a part of our success this year!
Rent Stabilization – HB 1217
Despite overwhelming public support for rent stabilization, some very bad, no-good amendments were made to HB 1217 in the Senate. The rent cap was increased from 7% annually to 10% plus Consumer Price Index (CPI); and single-family homes were exempted from the rent cap entirely. These amendments significantly weaken the bill, and undermine its very purpose of protecting renters.
To put this in real terms: for me, a 10% + CPI increase in my rent in 2022 would have meant over $300 a month- that’s too much for me to afford, and would have pushed me out of my apartment.
A big group of supporters rallied in Olympia on Friday to demand that legislators fix this bill. We need to keep up that pressure, so need your urgent help today to restore the rent stabilization bill to one that would actually protect our communities!
Transit-Oriented Development- HB 1491
It’s been three years of dedicated advocacy, of careful negotiations with all stakeholders, and of overcoming the odds and fighting an uphill battle- but HB 1491, creating standards for more transit-oriented development, passed the Senate this week! This is a major victory that you deserve to take pride in.
Because the Senate made amendments (amendments that we support), the bill will now go into concurrence, where the House will vote to concur with the Senate’s version. At that point, it’s off to Governor Ferguson for his signature! The future of Washington neighborhoods is bright- more walkable, affordable, and climate-friendly.
Only one week left for the 2025 Legislative Session, and we’ll be ready to celebrate on sine die.