From LWVWA Legislative 2/2/25 newsletter action items:

Although the cut-off for bills in the policy committees of the house of origin is not until February 21, the pace is moving much faster now. There are too many bills for all of them to get public hearings, and you will see some of that reflected in our weekly updates for bills the League supports. For additional action items, which help pass bills the League supports on specific issues, click on the see all action alerts, and take action on the ones you are most interested in. Readers’ actions by signing in PRO for the League-supported bills have been much appreciated. The Lobby Team is very grateful for our members’ and others’ help. It matters!

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.

Labeling ballot drop boxes. SB 5011 Requires ballot drop boxes to display signs noting they are the property of the county auditor or elections office and stating that tampering with boxes may be a violation of state and federal elections laws. Security of ballots is of utmost importance to the LWVWA. The bill was referred to the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Jan. 28; scheduled for a hearing at 4 p.m. on Feb. 3. Sign in PRO on SB 5011 HERE before 3:00 pm, Monday, February 3.

Concerning senior independent housing. This bill HB 1542 would establish certain minimum rights for senior independent housing residents and authorize enforcement of these rights under the Consumer Protection Act. It would require the Department of Commerce to submit a report to the Legislature by 7/1/26, including certain data and recommendations related to senior independent housing. The bill has a public hearing scheduled for 1:30 pm, Monday, February 3, in the House Housing Committee. Sign in PRO on HB 1542 HERE before 12:30 pm on Monday, February 3

Voter Pamphlets In Even Year Elections. SB 5069 Requires the secretary of state to print and distribute a voters’ pamphlet for the primary in each even-numbered year and for the general election every year. This relieves the burden of small counties from having the burden of printing lengthy voters pamphlets primarily for state races during the primary elections, and provides more information to education across the state. This bill has a hearing in the Senate Ways and Means Committee on February 3 at 4pm. Sign in PRO on SB 5069 HERE before 3:00 pm, 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.

Relating the duty of clergy to report child abuse and neglect. HB 1211, Companion to SB 5375.
 Adds clergy to the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect. Public Hearing in House Early Learning & Human Services, Feb 4 at 1:30 pm. Sign in PRO on HB 1211 HERE by 12:30 pm on Tuesday, February 4

Modernizing reimbursement rates to more accurately reflect the cost of providing high quality child care for the WCCC program. SB 5500, Companion to HB 1350. Provides that child care subsidy base rates must be at least the 85^th percentile of the child care market based on the most recent market rate survey. In alignment with the cost of quality child care model developed in consultation with child care providers, the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) must use the model to recommend subsidy base rates that are sufficient to compensate providers for the costs of providing high quality child care. Public Hearing Senate Early Learning & K-12 Feb 4 at 8:00 am. Sign in PRO on SB 5500 HERE by Tuesday, Feb 4 at 7:00 am

Automatic Voter Registration Expansion. SB 5077 Expands WA’s Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) system to other state agencies that have the ability to confirm citizenship such at the Health Benefit Exchange, Naturalization agencies, and the Department of Corrections.  AVR lowers barriers to registration, streamlines voter registration updates, and increases the accuracy of voter roll information. This bill is waiting in the Rules committee to be scheduled for a floor vote. Please Comment in support of SB 5077 HERE.

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

There are many more action alerts in this weeks legislative newsletter! Get the LWVWA Legislative newsletter delivered direct to you by subscribing here.