2025 Session: Growing Together

Going into 2025, the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been.  Every corner of Washington is seeing housing costs go up.  Climate change has made this year the hottest year on record — again.  We’re still working to undo racist zoning practices.  And on top of it, our state’s population grew by more than 84,000 in the last year.  Washington is growing, and we have the option to grow together and tackle these problems. That’s why this legislative session our Growing Together campaign is prioritizing these issues and continuing our work from last year:

• Rent stabilization (HB 1217): setting price caps on how much rent can be increased each year.  This will keep rents predictable and allow more people to afford to stay in their homes. The bill has been introduced in a similar form as last year, with a 7% price cap.
• Transit-oriented development (TOD): allow more homes near transit so we are better connected to work, family, and more and make it easier to get around without a car in cities. We will share the bill number with you once the bill has dropped.
• Rural housing solutions: support rural Washingtonians through the housing crisis while protecting our farms and natural resources like water supplies. Last year we worked hard to defeat bills that threatened rural areas, and this year may look a little different.  We’re working with numerous legislators on rural housing solutions, while remaining committed to our founding principles of smart land use. We will have more information on bills that we support or oppose as they drop and get amended.
• GMA Compliance (HB 1135): ensuring cities and counties implement new housing and climate regulations. Over the past four years, Futurewise has organized with you to update the Growth Management Act to add new requirements for housing affordability and climate change in local comprehensive plans. In order to see these changes on the ground in your community, we need to close a loophole in state law that’s preventing our legal team from holding cities and counties accountable.

In addition to these top-line priorities, Futurewise will also be supporting a number of other bills, including reforming parking requirements for new development and protecting Climate Commitment Act funding in a budget deficit year. Check out our full list of 2025 legislative priorities here.

Sign in PRO for Rent Stabilization

It wouldn’t the legislative session if we didn’t start off at a sprint!  Rent Stabilization, HB 1217, already has a hearing in the House Housing Committee TOMORROW Monday 1/13 at 1:30 PM.  Hearings are a great opportunity to demonstrate the mass support for bills. While you can testify or submit written comments, the easiest way to show your support is to sign in PRO and get your friends and family to do so as well.  It’s easy to do; simply add your name to the list by clicking the big red button below.

Sign in PRO for GMA Compliance

Our GMA Compliance bill, HB 1135, is also scheduled for a hearing this first week. HB 1135 has a hearing on Friday 1/17 at 10:30 AM in the House Local Government committee. This is a wonky bill that might not get a lot of attention, so it’s even more important that we are signing in pro in huge numbers.  The best way to make that happen is sign in PRO right now, and forward this actionto folks you know.  Sign in PRO for HB 1135 below.

Join the Growing Together Lobby Day

Want to meet with legislators in person and share your story?  Then join us for our February 5 lobby day in Olympia.  This is one of the best ways to make your voice heard, meet volunteers, and witness democracy in action!  Click the big red button below for more information and how to sign up.  Deadline to register is January 22, but the sooner you register, the more likely we’ll be able to schedule a meeting with your legislator.

Help Recruit for Lobby Day

We will be holding a virtual Phonebank this upcoming Tuesday, the 14th, from 6 to 7 p.m. to recruit volunteers for our annual Lobby Day happening on February 5th. This is a great event to attend if you can’t come to Lobby Day but still want to support! We will be calling volunteers to invite them to Lobby Day and get as many people to RSVP as possible. Every caller helps, and this is a great way to meet some of the other volunteers this legislative session! Please reach out to our intern Ava at [email protected] if you have any questions.