Transcript Highlights:

• The tenants are our customers. We need their income and we want those good tenants.
• </c> kick good tenants out. Definitely not. kick good tenants out. Definitely not.
• Then the tenants<00:24:23.120><c> who</c><00:24:23.360><c> are</c> tenants who are tenants who are overwhelmingly
• </c> the landlord tenant relationship. the landlord tenant relationship.
• Tenants have become could.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Tenant Protection Act, there are 15 specified reasons a landlord may evict a tenant, including
• The returning tenants are protected.
• And that's why you say tenant a lot, but this bill is about units, not tenants.
• I wish that we would have tenant protections, but this just eliminates the ability to even have tenants
• , you're talking about long-term tenants.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, with the longest discussion on SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops and on transit agency land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, support transit ridership, and reduce vehicle miles traveled, while opponents from cities, housing advocates, and legal aid groups raised concerns about affordability requirements, demolition and displacement protections, and local control. After extensive debate and amendments, the committee approved SB 79 on a roll call vote of 8-1, with one member not voting, and sent it to the Assembly Local Government Committee. The committee also heard SB 21, which would allow limited reductions in unit count when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with kitchens, bathrooms, and supportive services. Supporters said the bill would preserve aging nonprofit-owned SRO housing and prevent building failures like the Skid Row Housing Trust portfolio, while no opposition witnesses testified. The bill was moved on a unanimous 8-0 vote to Local Government. SB 92 was heard next and would close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much commercial floor area can be increased through the law. The author said the bill responds to a proposed Pacific Beach project that would have used a small number of affordable units to justify a very large hotel tower; the City of San Diego and labor groups supported the fix, and some housing groups withdrew opposition after amendments. The committee passed SB 92 on a 7-0 vote, with the roll left open. Later, the committee took up SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to rebuilt units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act after a disaster. The author and Los Angeles City Attorney Heidi Feldstein Soto said the bill would preserve tenant protections in rebuilt communities like Pacific Palisades, while apartment, realtor, and property owner groups opposed it, arguing it would add burdens and discourage rebuilding. Members questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing Housing Crisis Act right-of-return protections, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, if monthly rents charged new tenants are hundreds of dollars more than an existing tenant
• If monthly rents charged new tenants are hundreds of dollars more than an existing tenant, it becomes
• We're a tenant-based organization since 1983, organizing tenants to save and improve their homes.
• We're a tenant-based organization since 1983, organizing tenants to save and improve their homes.
• , but the AG does have a tenant advocate.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hearing on a wide range of housing bills focused on manufactured housing, condominiums, public housing, tiny homes, and protections for elderly and disabled residents. Chairs Haggerty and Cyr opened by emphasizing the importance of these housing types and the need to hear from many speakers. Testimony on manufactured housing was especially extensive and sharply divided. Supporters of bills such as H. 1475, S. 990, and H. 1513 argued that out-of-state corporate owners are buying communities, raising rents and fees, reducing services, and exploiting legal gray areas. Residents and lawmakers from affected communities like Taunton, Middleborough, Attleboro, and Oak Point described steep rent disparities, fear of displacement, and the need for stronger protections, while Representative Hawkins urged an omnibus approach and said the bill would create a local board to ensure compliance with existing law. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Manufactured Housing Association and Hometown America’s counsel, argued that current law already provides protections, that the bills would create uncertainty or unfairly restrict owners, and that H. 1475 was intended to clarify the post-Blake legal landscape. The committee also heard testimony on condominium reform through S. 980, with owners describing lack of transparency, surprise assessments, and limited accountability, and urging updates to Chapter 183A and more owner rights. Public housing bills also drew support from housing authority advocates. MassNAHRO backed S. 955, H. 1517, H. 1512, H. 1550, and H. 1551, saying housing authorities need more flexibility to preserve and expand affordable housing. Witnesses supported tax relief for replacement public housing units and streamlined procurement rules, arguing these changes would help projects move faster and make better use of capital funds. Committee members asked questions about PILOT agreements, tax treatment of new developments, and whether state and federal public housing would be treated similarly. The committee also heard from Senator Lovely and advocates for S. 1007/H. 1525, which would prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents in housing. Supporters described the bills as a long-needed response to harassment in senior and public housing, calling for building-level plans, staff training, and AG oversight; Jerry Halberstadt said the measure should be strengthened with enforcement and tenant advocacy support. Pamela and other witnesses described severe personal impacts from bullying and management retaliation. Another major topic was S. 1474/H. 1474 on movable tiny houses as permanent dwellings and accessory dwelling units. Supporters, including Representative DeCoste, Vera Struck, Kaylee DeCrease, and Abundant Housing Massachusetts, said tiny homes are a safe, affordable, sustainable option for seniors, workers, and others facing the housing shortage, and urged the committee to legalize them and align state rules with emerging standards. They also discussed tax classification and the need for a clear building code and DMV category. Finally, H. 1476 on pet-friendly elderly housing drew support from animal welfare groups, who said the bill would restore and modernize a prior pet program, expand access across state-aided housing, limit pet deposits, and reduce pet surrender caused by housing barriers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and questions on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you've worked to develop relationships with your tenants over time.
• And you've worked to develop relationships with your tenants over time.
• Well, most of the time, the tenant doesn't buy the stoves.
• So if you have a gas clothes dryer, for example, right now, but the tenant, it allows for the tenant
• So if you have a gas closed dryer, for example, right now, but the tenant, it allows for the tenant to

Committee: Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development

Summary: The Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development Committee met on February 25 and took up a series of housing-related bills, many of which had previously passed the Senate or been reported by the committee in prior sessions. Measures advanced included bills on NYCHA utility accountability, a small rental housing development initiative, uniform waiting list priorities for domestic violence survivors, protections for dependent children named in eviction papers, expansion of veterans’ housing preferences, inclusion of illegal conversions in the definition of harassment, repeal of obsolete rent formula language, inspection of major capital improvement rent increases and rent stabilization extensions, a community land trust acquisition fund, and an affordable independent senior housing assistance program. Most were reported to finance, Codes, or the floor, typically with some minority negative or “without recommendation” votes noted. The committee then returned to Senate Bill 6718B, sponsored by Senator Jackson, which would eliminate certain surcharges landlords may charge when tenants install appliances in rent-regulated housing. A guest speaker, Mr. Umberto Lopez, argued the bill would further squeeze landlords, especially small property owners, and warned that rising costs and regulation could lead to more units being taken off the market or “warehoused.” Committee members asked about the bill’s practical effect, including whether tenants could install appliances only with landlord approval and how current surcharge amounts are calculated for air conditioners, washers, dryers, and dishwashers. The chair explained that the bill would remove the ability to charge those existing fees, which are intended to cover wear and tear and utility-related costs. After the discussion, the committee voted to report S6718B, with minority negative votes recorded. The chair also noted an upcoming housing budget hearing later that day and repeatedly emphasized time limits during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the Tenant Protection Act, there are 15 specified reasons a landlord may evict a tenant, including
• to ensure that our most vibrant neighborhoods remained open to tenants and that those tenants would
• Yeah, and that's the part I want that clarity on, because the tenants are protected, the returning tenants
• Area as a tenant, not the unit, the tenant, that they can transfer that to the same area to another unit
• And that's why you say tenant a lot, but this bill is about units, not tenants.

Summary: The committee heard several housing bills, with the longest discussion focused on SB 79, which would allow more housing near high-capacity transit stops and on transit agency-owned land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and strengthen transit systems by putting more residents near rail and rapid transit. Supporters included housing advocates, local officials, environmental groups, and transit-oriented development organizations. Opponents, including many cities, the League of California Cities, and some tenant and legal advocacy groups, raised concerns about affordability requirements, displacement, demolition protections, local control, and the bill’s interaction with existing local planning efforts. The committee discussed amendments to strengthen anti-displacement protections, minimum density, affordability standards, and a local flexibility alternative, and SB 79 was moved out on a due-pass-as-amended vote of 8-1, with one member not voting. The committee then took up SB 21, which would amend the Housing Crisis Act to allow limited unit reductions when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with private bathrooms, kitchens, and supportive services. The author and nonprofit housing providers said many SRO buildings are financially unsustainable and that the bill would preserve deeply affordable housing while improving conditions for residents. There was no organized opposition testimony at the hearing, though one business property group registered opposition. Members expressed support for the preservation-focused approach, and SB 21 was approved on an 8-0 vote and sent to the Assembly Committee on Local Government. Next, SB 92 was heard, a measure to close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much additional commercial floor area a project can receive and preventing the law from being used to justify very large nonresidential projects with only minimal affordable housing. The author cited a San Diego project as an example of the problem, and the City of San Diego supported the bill as a reasonable fix. Several labor and housing groups also supported it, while no formal opposition witnesses testified. The committee accepted amendments, members praised the effort to curb abuse while preserving feasibility, and SB 92 passed on a 7-0 vote. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to units rebuilt after disaster if they had previously been covered by the Tenant Protection Act. The author and the Los Angeles City Attorney said the bill would help preserve rental housing in disaster-affected communities, especially after the Pacific Palisades fires, and would not create new rent control. Opponents, including apartment, realtor, and property owner groups, argued it would add burdens to rebuilding and could discourage reconstruction. Members raised questions about whether existing law already protects returning tenants and whether the bill was necessary, and the hearing continued into committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I strongly identify with my tenants. I am pro on HB 2664.
• Voting yes means more convenience for our tenants.
• One, it makes it simpler to get notices to tenants who you can't make an appointment with.
• And second of all, it actually has a better chance of getting to the tenant.
• But I'd also like to say something about the, the... ...getting to the tenant.

Summary: The Housing Committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2664, which would remove the certified-mail requirement for serving unlawful detainer and related notices under landlord-tenant law. Committee staff explained that the bill would instead deem service complete when notices are mailed from within the state with proper postage, and would keep other service methods such as personal delivery or posting plus mailing when the recipient is not on the premises. Representative April Connors, the bill sponsor, said the measure is intended to clean up notice provisions affected by prior legislation and reduce the burden on renters who currently must retrieve certified mail from the post office; she also noted a question from Representative Zahn about whether lease renewals are included and said she would follow up on that issue. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Housing providers, property managers, landlord associations, and business groups said certified mail has created high costs, administrative burden, and many undelivered notices, with several witnesses reporting large percentages of notices returned unclaimed. Supporters argued the bill would improve the likelihood that tenants actually receive notices, reduce confusion, and lower costs for housing providers. One witness also said the current process can be inconvenient or inaccessible for tenants, while another raised privacy and safety concerns about posting notices on doors. No one testified in opposition. Committee members asked very few questions, and the chair reminded testifiers that props are not allowed. The hearing concluded without a vote or other action on the bill, and the committee adjourned after a brief congratulatory comment to Vice Chair Hill on chairing her first Housing Committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm a member of Claremont Tenants United and Tenants Together.
• The tenants need this. Thank you. The tenants need this. Thank you. Good morning.
• I'm a tenant in San Francisco.
• Mendoza, and I'm a tenant organizer for the Southeast Tenant Association.
• think, three years ago: how many tenant bills have been enacted into tenant protection bills?

Summary: The Assembly Judiciary Committee heard several housing- and courts-related bills. AB 768, by Assemblymember Avila Farias, would close a loophole in mobile home rent control by excluding homes not used as permanent residences, such as vacation or short-term rental use. Supporters said it would preserve affordability for full-time residents while preventing wealthy second-home owners from benefiting from rent control; a nonprofit housing operator asked for a technical amendment to avoid conflicts with tax-exempt bond restrictions. The bill was moved and passed as amended. AB 1359, by Assemblymember Arambula, would let people age 80 and older request a permanent jury-service excuse without providing a doctor’s note. Supporters from the California Senior Legislature said the current medical-note requirement is burdensome and unnecessary, while some members raised concerns about reducing older adults’ participation on juries and suggested the exemption should be more flexible or reversible. After discussion, the bill passed to Appropriations. AB 1406, by Assemblymember Ward, would raise the cap on liquidated damages in new condominium pre-sale contracts from 3% to 10% to help developers finance condo projects and increase for-sale housing production. Developers and housing advocates argued the change would improve financing and make more condos feasible, while realtors and consumer advocates warned it would shift too much risk onto buyers, especially first-time homebuyers. Committee members expressed mixed views and asked for stronger consumer protections; the author said he was open to further amendments, and the bill was held open with the roll call not fully completed in the excerpt. The committee also began hearing AB 1157, by Chair Kalra, which would lower and make permanent the rent cap under the Tenant Protection Act and extend protections to single-family home renters, but the transcript excerpt mainly captures extensive public support testimony and the author’s opening presentation, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• By banning tenants from paying fees altogether, what we're saying is that tenants are the product and
• to retain and hire brokers and permit the tenants to see to retain and hire brokers and permit the tenants
• Most of my tenants stay a year or two.
• Some of our favorite tenants, or the greatest tenants we've had and worked with, are students coming
• Also, local grad students, many of them are great tenants.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony on several real estate, housing, and consumer protection bills. A major portion of the hearing focused on bills to create licensure for commercial interior designers (H.324/S.254), with supporters from the architecture and interior design fields arguing the measure would recognize a distinct profession, expand permitting authority for qualified designers, improve public safety, and remove barriers to firm ownership and public contracting. Witnesses said the proposal had been redrafted through collaboration among interior designers, architects, engineers, and building officials, and Senator Gomez said the Senate had passed the bill previously and hoped to advance it again. The committee also heard support for H.450 on solar customer protections, with solar companies backing standardized disclosures, a consumer brochure, a longer rescission period, and sales registration requirements as consumer safeguards that would not materially disrupt business operations. The committee then took testimony on H.431/S.245, a bill to end housing discrimination in the Commonwealth. Senator Gomez, fair housing advocates, and several renters described alleged discrimination against Black renters and voucher holders, citing testing data and personal experiences. They said the bill would strengthen enforcement by linking court findings to temporary license suspensions, require fair housing training, increase public reporting, and add board representation with fair housing or voucher-holder experience. A real estate appraisers representative also supported S.196, which would make appraisal licensure mandatory in Massachusetts, arguing that home valuation should be done by licensed professionals. A substantial part of the hearing addressed broker-fee and rental-timing bills, including H.335, H.336, H.374, H.224, and H.449. Supporters of the broker-fee changes argued that tenants should not be charged fees when the landlord hired the broker, while opponents warned the language could restrict tenant representation and harm small landlords, students, and the rental market. Several witnesses opposed the 90-day lease-signing window in H.336, saying it would compress the September rental cycle, worsen competition, and make it harder for students and out-of-state renters to secure housing. The chairs noted that broker fees had already been addressed in the state budget, and the hearing concluded with no votes on the bills, only the close of testimony and an announcement that the committee would not hold another hearing until later in the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• specific to increasing the supply of rental housing and improving landlord-tenant interactions.
• Um, so whichever task force is, um, does move forward to address updating the landlord-tenant code.
• Um updating the landlord tenant code.
• groups and individuals who serve tenant groups and individuals who serve tenants<00:14:52.800><c> um
• </c><00:18:33.760><c> representatives</c> um tenant representatives um tenant representatives um<00:18

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard STR 123 SD1, which asks the judiciary to convene a working group to study landlord-tenant issues aimed at increasing rental housing supply and improving landlord-tenant interactions. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs said it had originally asked to defer the measure but was not opposed to the idea of a working group and preferred the Senate bill vehicle already introduced. Hawaii Realtors testified in strong support of the measure. Members discussed how the working group should be structured, including whether it should have balanced representation from tenant advocates and landlord-side stakeholders, with possible participation from neutral entities such as the judiciary or DCCA. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection said the legislature should decide the composition, noted that minority views can still be advanced outside the working group, and deferred to the convenor on whether recommendations would be made by consensus or vote. In decision-making, the committee recommended passing the measure as a House Draft 1 with amendments that narrow the scope of the working group and conform it to House-Senate Bill 822. A member expressed a reservation that the bill should explicitly require equal numbers of tenant and landlord representatives to bolster community credibility. The motion passed, with one member voting aye with reservations and the recommendation adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are programs that keep tenants in their homes.
• We were able to reduce the 40% with the help of the Mass Alliance of HUD Tenants and our tenant association
• So I'm advocating, and Mass Alliance of Tenants are advocating, and the 147 tenants of my building, mostly
• MRVP tenants to try to expand funding and codify it.
• I would not use the word tenants there.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Housing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Housing held a hybrid hearing on a broad slate of housing and homelessness bills. Chairs Rich Haggerty and Julian Cyr opened by noting the committee’s focus on EOHLC programs such as RAFT, MRVP, and HomeBASE, and several members and advocates emphasized the urgency of the state’s homelessness crisis, including rising family homelessness and the need for earlier intervention, more stable subsidies, and stronger long-term housing tools. A major theme was homelessness prevention and rehousing. Multiple witnesses supported bills to codify and strengthen RAFT and HomeBASE, arguing that assistance should be available earlier in a crisis rather than only after a notice to quit or imminent loss of housing. Testimony from legal services, homelessness coalitions, social workers, municipal housing staff, and tenant advocates said the programs help families avoid eviction and shelter, but need more flexibility, higher benefit caps, and permanent statutory protection. Several speakers also urged support for codifying the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), describing it as a critical long-term subsidy for low-income households and older adults, and warning that codification would protect the program from future budget or policy changes. The committee also heard testimony on housing stability for older adults, affordable homes for people with disabilities, supportive housing, housing cooperatives, home sharing, local preference, and reentry housing for returning citizens. Advocates for older adults described a Somerville bridge subsidy pilot that helped stabilize seniors while they waited for permanent housing, and urged statewide expansion. Supporters of supportive housing called for an interagency board to streamline funding and development, while cooperative housing proponents backed creation of a Massachusetts Center for Housing Cooperatives and a dedicated funding reserve. A bill to secure housing for returning citizens drew support from reentry providers and Senator Adam Gomez, who said stable housing is essential to successful reintegration. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses generally asked the committee to report the bills favorably, and some members asked follow-up questions on data and program details.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tenants still retain their rights under the MRL.
• I'm a member of Claremont Tenants United and Tenants Together.
• Tenants are facing crisis after crisis, and lowering the rent is essential to keeping tenants housed.
• Mendoza, and I'm a tenant organizer for the Southeast Tenant Association.
• , three years ago, how many tenant bills have been...

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• It does not close hunting land, and it does not impact recreation.
• It does not<03:49:54.239><c> close</c><03:49:54.560><c> hunting</c><03:49:54.960><c> land,</c><03:49:
• land, and it does not not close hunting land, and it does not impact<03:49:57.120><c> recreation.
• account at a local bank even though the tenants remain the ultimate owner of those funds and hence the
• that have been rife with with tenants that have been rife with abuses.<05:53:54.638><c> For</c><05:53

Bills: HR1299 , HB5317 , HB4544 , HB3234 , HB1993 , HB3726 , HB2954 , SB2393 , HB3482 , HR1352 , HB4684 , HB2252 , HB6506 , HB7432 , SB4530

Keywords: housing, affordable housing, homeownership, rental assistance, HUD, Department of Housing and Urban Development, zoning reform, land use, building codes, single-stair buildings, point-access block, infill development, housing supply, housing affordability, HOME Investment Partnerships, CDBG, Community Development Block Grant, FHA, Federal Housing Administration, small-dollar mortgage

Transcript Highlights:

• a standard thing that tenants will want access to some sort of cooling.
• a standard thing that tenants will want access to some sort of cooling.
• They have this program that helps their tenants get ready to purchase a home.
• But they have a lot of their tenants that end up buying...
• They have this program that helps their tenants get ready to purchase a home.

Committee: House Housing

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and tenant education. and tenant education.
• </c> through MHFA for a statewide tenant through MHFA for a statewide tenant education<01:24:35.679><
• </c> statewide tenant education and hotline. statewide tenant education and hotline.
• </c> of the Duth Tenant Union. of the Duth Tenant Union.
• </c> proceedings accessible for every tenant. proceedings accessible for every tenant.

Bills: HF3425 , HF3424 , HF1385

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• of a tenant.
• </c> affected by the death of a tenant. affected by the death of a tenant.
• </c><00:14:29.120><c> becomes</c> broken if just one tenant becomes broken if just one tenant becomes
• any surviving tenants lease so that any surviving tenants aren't<00:14:52.160><c> blindsided</c><00:
• </c><00:15:18.240><c> save</c><00:15:18.480><c> more</c> tenants and allow tenants to save more tenants

Bills: HF4207 , HF3639 , HF3981 , HF3064 , HF2123

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> rental</c> administer t tenant based rental administer t tenant based rental assistance,<00:02:58.480
• The maintenance guy was pulled from his vehicle in a parking lot and beaten up by non-tenants.
• Concussion and other by non-tenants.
• , the tenant began yelling aggressively.<00:08:31.120><c> The</c><00:08:31.360><c> tenant</c><00:08:31.680
• The tenant continued aggressively.

Transcript Highlights:

• They regularly have some sort of program for their tenants that allows them to...
• They regularly have some sort of program for their tenants that allows them to...
• a standard thing that tenants will want access to some sort of cooling.
• a standard thing that tenants will want access to some sort of cooling.
• They have this program that helps their tenants get ready to purchase a home.

Summary: The Housing Committee met on February 24 and considered two bills for executive action: Senate Bill 5496, which limits homeownership by corporate entities, and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6200, which addresses tenants’ ability to install portable cooling devices. Staff reviewed proposed amendments to both bills before the committee recessed for caucus and then returned to take action. For SB 6200, one amendment was withdrawn and another was adopted. The adopted amendment clarified that landlords may restrict or prohibit window-mounted portable cooling devices, removed insurance-notice requirements, and eliminated evaporative coolers from the bill’s definition of portable cooling devices. Members supporting the bill said it was a health and housing measure aimed at protecting tenants during increasingly frequent heat events, while some members noted concerns about lease burdens and implementation. The bill, as amended, passed out of committee on a 13-4 vote. For SB 5496, three amendments were offered and all were rejected. The amendments would have changed how investment entities are treated, adjusted the 100-property cap for existing owners, and narrowed the definition of single-family residential property to freestanding homes on their own parcels. Supporters of the bill argued it would help preserve housing opportunities for families and protect the homeownership market from large corporate purchases, while opponents said it would reduce rental supply, interfere with private transactions, and raise constitutional concerns. The bill passed out of committee on a 9-8 vote. The chair then announced the committee’s final scheduled meeting was canceled and adjourned the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Ethan Martez, and I'm here on behalf of Tenants Revolt.
• Tenants Revolt is a tenant advocacy organization that helps renters understand their rights, document
• I'd also like to add that Tenants Revolt keeps track of complaints.
• There are a lot of small housing providers and tenants who prefer this.
• There are a lot of small housing providers and tenants who prefer this.

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard public testimony on several bills. SB 5885 would expand affordable housing on property owned by religious organizations by lowering the density-bonus affordability threshold from 100% to 50% and adding a sales and use tax exemption for qualifying projects. The sponsor and supporters from Redmond, Tacoma, Spokane, faith organizations, and housing nonprofits said the current standard is too restrictive and that churches and other faith groups have underused land that could help meet the state’s housing shortage. A county planning representative raised concern about an unfunded mandate to update local development regulations, and one testifier said the bill should be paired with funding for county planning work. The committee also heard SB 5884, which would expand a sales and use tax deferral program for redevelopment of underutilized property. The bill would broaden eligible land beyond surface parking lots to include vacant, partially used, or underutilized parcels, and would allow cities to approve projects with at least 50% affordable units, or 20% in designated residential targeted areas. Supporters from Spokane, Vancouver, Kent, Bellingham, and the Washington State Association of Counties said the current program is too narrow and should be available in more places, including counties and more cities. Construction industry groups supported redevelopment but objected to a provision tying eligibility to apprenticeship utilization, saying it could disadvantage nonunion contractors and create compliance burdens. For SB 5937, the committee heard testimony on smart access systems in rental housing. The bill would require landlords, upon request, to offer a non-biometric, non-app-based alternative key and to provide privacy policies and limits on data collection for smart access systems. Tenant advocates supported the bill as a privacy and access protection, citing concerns about app-based locks, data tracking, lockouts, and retaliation. Landlord and multifamily housing groups said they were open to the concept but argued the bill was too broad and could impose burdens on small housing providers or simple keypad systems, and they asked for narrower definitions and clearer implementation language. Finally, the committee took testimony on SB 5938, which would make technical changes to the foreclosure prevention fee created last year, including exempting certain reverse mortgages and chattel loans, preventing duplicate charges on some state-backed transactions, and directing Commerce to study a possible state homeowner assistance fund. Homeownership counselors, legal aid, HOA advocates, and equity organizations supported the bill, saying it would clarify fee collection, protect low- and moderate-income buyers from unnecessary costs, and help sustain foreclosure prevention services. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, and the meeting ended after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas, leading champion for tenant and housing justice, he helped to pass 2019 rent reforms with
• career has been defined not only by legislative victories but fierce advocacy for working families, tenants
• AND WHEREAS, LEADING CHAMPION FOR TENANT AND HOUSING JUSTICE, HE HELPED TO PASS A 20719 RENT REFORMS
• HAS BEEN DEFINED NOT ONLY BY LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES BUT FIERCE ADVOCACY FOR WORKING FAMILY WILL BE TENANT
• You're going to have a Department of Labor out there bounty hunting for small businesses that didn't

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then processed a series of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills, which were so ordered. Several bills were also recalled from the Assembly, had reconsideration votes taken, and were restored to the third reading calendar after receiving 58 ayes. Amendments were received on a number of bills, and those measures retained their place on the calendar. The main business of the day was Privileged Resolution 2318, sponsored by Leader Stewart-Cousins, honoring Senator Michael Gianaris with the President Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader’s Legislative Legacy Award. The resolution and floor remarks reviewed his long career in the Assembly and Senate, his role as Deputy Majority Leader and floor leader, and his work on housing, criminal justice, voting rights, labor, environmental, consumer, transit, animal welfare, and other major legislation. Members from both parties spoke at length, praising his strategic skill, mentorship, humor, and influence, while also noting his support for younger members and his commitment to family. Several senators described personal experiences showing Gianaris’s mentorship and political guidance, and many referenced his Greek American identity, Queens roots, and interests such as Star Wars and the Mets. Senators also emphasized that he was leaving on his own terms to spend more time with his wife and daughters. The resolution was adopted with broad support, and Gianaris then spoke in response, reflecting on nearly 30 years in state government, the major laws passed during his tenure, and the relationships he built in the chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:50:01.600><c> for</c> non-renew to get rid of tenants for non-renew to get rid of tenants for
• ><c> enforce</c><00:50:23.600><c> their</c> tenants are scared to enforce their tenants are scared to
• ><c> arbitrary</c><00:52:41.000><c> and</c> protects tenants from arbitrary and protects tenants from
• </c> Landlords can still evict their tenants Landlords can still evict their tenants and<00:56:59.720
• </c> them better tenants in the future. them better tenants in the future.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention