WA lawmakers of both parties back 13 bills meant to boost housing supply
Whether through easing permitting, zoning or other regulations, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers wants to make it easier to build homes and apartments in Washington. Lawmakers projected unity on the issue Tuesday, holding a group announcement of support for 13 bills meant to increase Washington’s housing stock. Proposals include measures to hasten the process of getting permits to build housing and making it easier to develop “mother-in-law” units in a state where insufficient housing has driven up the cost of renting and owning a home. Rep. Mia Gregerson, D-SeaTac, said Washington currently needs about 150,000 more housing units, and in the next 20 years will need 1 million homes. The announcement came a few weeks into a legislative session where housing is already front and center. Continue reading at Seattle Times. (Karen Ducey)

WA lawmakers promise bipartisan action to boost housing supply
Legislators in Olympia are considering a host of bills to address the housing crisis, and Tuesday, members from both parties announced they’re finding common ground. A group of lawmakers highlighted a suite of policy proposals, backed by both Republicans and Democrats, that would make regulatory and construction changes aimed at boosting the supply of homes across Washington. The list of bills covers a wide range of construction and regulatory changes, including proposals to speed up the building permit process, create more housing near transportation hubs and diversify the type of housing available in certain areas. With commitments from both sides of the aisle to move forward, Senate Housing Committee Chair Patty Kuderer (D-Bellevue) says this session is shaping up to be a big one for housing. Continue reading at KUOW. (KUOW)

Bill would limit traffic stops to try to prevent police killings
Police in Washington would be barred from pulling over drivers for minor issues like broken tail lights or expired tabs under a measure now before the state Legislature. It’s part of an effort to limit low-level traffic stops, which critics say too often escalate into violence — especially against Black, Hispanic and Indigenous people. Supporters say the change would also free up officers to pursue more serious violations such as driving under the influence, potentially helping curb the state’s recent rise in traffic fatalities. At a public hearing this week in Olympia, the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police hung over the proceedings, with the bill sponsor, the committee chair and some members of the public mentioning Nichols’ death as an example of a traffic stop gone wrong. “Communities of color bear the disproportionate burden of these traffic stops,” said the legislation’s sponsor, state Rep. Chipalo Street (D-Seattle). “This raises the chances that we are involved in tragic escalations of force.” Continue reading at Axios. (Brendan Lynch)