Dear friends and neighbors,
We have passed a key deadline for policy bills to make it out of each chamber.
I am happy to say that we passed great legislation in the House on a number of fronts: housing, COVID relief, racial equity, police accountability, and climate change.
This week, I’d like to tell you about what’s happening with housing issues and legislation that I introduced.
Real progress on housing
Planning for affordable housing
House Bill 1220 updates the housing goals of the Growth Management Act to include planning for and accommodating affordable housing. It also requires jurisdictions to plan for creating moderate, low, very low, and extremely low-income housing and directs jurisdictions to address racially disparate impacts and displacement in the housing element of the comprehensive plan.
Status: Passed the House 57-39 and is now in the Senate Housing & Local Government Committee.
Good cause eviction & renter protections
House Bill 1236 establishes a standard of acceptable causes for eviction and closes harmful loopholes in our fair housing laws. These protections mean no renter should be forced out of their home without a just cause.
Status: Passed the House 54-44 and was scheduled for a vote in the Senate Housing & Local Government Committee.
Senate Bill 5160 protects renters by prohibiting landlords from charging late fees or other charges for non-payment of rent during this public health emergency. It requires landlords to first offer tenants a repayment plan based on individual, financial, or health issues. Finally, it requires courts to appoint counsel for low-income tenants and for the state to pay the costs of such legal fees.
Status: Passed the Senate 29-20 and is set for a vote in the House Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee.
Mobile home tenant protections
House Bill 1083 protects those who live in mobile homes. Tenants are often seniors, the working poor, veterans, and the disabled. They are also often on the edge of homelessness, especially if a mobile home park changes ownership or decides to close.
Status: Passed the House 98-0 and scheduled for a vote in the Senate Housing & Local Government Committee.
House Bill 1100 requires manufactured or mobile home park landlords to provide tenants with the opportunity to purchase. It provides a fixed period of time within which to provide written notice of intent expressing an interest to purchase or lease and make an offer, during which time the landlord must not make a final unconditional acceptance of an offer from others.
Status: Passed the Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee and was referred to the Appropriations Committee.
Dedicated funding for rent assistance
House Bill 1277 creates a critical funding source to prevent eviction for renters. It helps people who are currently behind on rent and serves as a vital safety net as we navigate near and long-term income volatility. This legislation dedicates ongoing funding for the operations of desperately needed permanent supportive housing.
Status: In the House, it passed the Housing, Human Services & Veterans Committee and is scheduled for a vote in the Appropriations Committee.
Updates on my legislation
Quality health care for state workers
House Bill 1052 was my first bill to get a floor vote. It helps our state’s public servants—professors, scientists, social workers—make sure that health coverage is there for them when they need it most.
Status: Passed the House 95-0 and is being considered by the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
Adding another judge in Thurston County Superior Court
Our population has increased by 40 percent since 1996, the last time the number of judges was increased in this county.
House Bill 1167 would help close that gap and give more people access to our system of justice.
Status: Passed the House 97-0. This legislation passed the Senate Law & Justice Committee and is being considered by Ways & Means.
Long-term care
House Bill 1218 will improve the health, safety, and quality of life for residents in long-term care facilities.
Status: Passed the House 95-2 and now in Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
Keep in touch
Thank you for taking the time to read this update.
Please do not hesitate to contact my office to share your questions, comments, or ideas!
