Transcript Highlights:

• Grumman, Baden Engineering, the Boeing Company, Raytheon, RTX, Special Aerospace Services, United Launch
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• The second provision is that if under current law, shooting into an occupied dwelling or vehicle, the
• Now, that's almost akin to shooting... ...into an occupied dwelling.
• I said that just to say to you, I'm definitely in favor of dealing with shooting in an occupied dwelling

Bills: SB 26 , SJR 36 , SB 26 , SB 616 , SB 565 , SB 384 , SB 28 , SR 109 , SR 122 , SR 126 , SR 130 , SR 136 , SR 137 , SR 141 , SR 142 , SCR 20

Transcript Highlights:

• In Washington is worse than virtually every other state in the United States.
• In King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties alone, there's enough land to add 674,958 units.
• One is a minimum dwelling unit size, so that's under the initial building code.
• So the residential code, as you might know, it only addresses single dwelling units and duplexes, right
• So the residential code, as you might know, it only addresses single dwelling units and duplexes, right

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard a series of work-session presentations focused on transit-oriented development, commercial-to-residential redevelopment, building code implementation, housing market trends, and the Covenant Homeownership Program. The first presentation, from the Urban Institute, reviewed research on HB 1491 and TOD feasibility, arguing that Washington has made major progress but faces diverging conditions across transit areas. The presenter said rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and lower rents in some markets have made many projects less feasible, and recommended targeted infrastructure funding for lower-market communities, adjustments to MFTE and affordability requirements by local market conditions, more support for very low-income housing in high-market transit areas, minimum density standards near stations, expanded public land/joint development tools, and better tracking of TOD outcomes over time. Committee members asked about AMI calculations, immigration’s effect on construction labor, developer input, and whether a tracking mechanism had been removed from the bill. The Department of Commerce then outlined implementation of HB 1491 and demonstrated the new Washington Zoning Atlas, which is live and intended to help visualize zoning, overlays, and station-area conditions. Commerce said local governments will designate station areas, update zoning and MFTE policies, and handle anti-displacement measures, with Vancouver and Spokane first to implement and Puget Sound following later. Staff described a timeline for updated MFTE guidance, station-area implementation guidance, a TOD model ordinance, and later rulemaking on variances. The committee also heard from the Lieutenant Governor’s office on a report about converting commercial properties to housing, which found substantial potential for redevelopment on vacant or underused commercial land, especially near transit, but noted barriers such as ground-floor retail mandates, affordability requirements, infrastructure costs, private covenants, and slow implementation. The office urged by-right residential use on commercial land and faster rollout of new housing laws. The State Building Code Council updated the committee on its three-year code cycle and several legislatively directed actions, including minimum dwelling size, emergency shelters, and especially single-exit stairs and multiplex housing. Council staff said those code changes are nearing completion and will provide prescriptive solutions, while noting that elevator size and requirements were not changed and would require separate legislative direction if the committee wanted to revisit them. Members discussed the cost impacts of building and energy codes and the council said it is required to consider economic impacts and is increasingly looking at performance-based approaches. Later, the Washington Center for Real Estate Research presented its annual housing report, showing that higher mortgage rates have sharply reduced affordability, flattened house prices in many cities, and slowed single-family permitting and completions, while multifamily construction has recently cooled after a prior surge. Finally, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission reported strong first-year results for the Covenant Homeownership Program, which provides zero-interest down payment assistance to eligible first-time buyers with family ties to Washington before 1968; the program assisted 547 homebuyers in its first fiscal year, with more than $60 million loaned, and the agency said participation has continued to grow after income-limit changes enacted in 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• with about 30 other AGs to try to deal with the prediction market that is going on throughout the United
• and nonprofit organizations to assist and promote wildfire risk mitigation efforts for insurable dwellings
• The bill defines insurable dwellings as residential single-family or multi-family dwellings, including
• The owner may dispose of any personal property remaining in the storage unit after the date provided
• Being able to engage with the self-storage facility entirely online, secure the unit, sign the lease,

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 6137 on sports wagering. Staff explained that the bill would allow wagering on collegiate events involving Washington colleges, but would continue to prohibit bets on the performance of individual college athletes. Tribal representatives from the Jamestown S’Klallam, Puyallup, and Kalispel tribes testified in support, saying the bill would keep wagering within the regulated tribal marketplace, protect integrity, and help smaller tribal casinos participate through a hub-and-spoke model. University of Washington and Washington State University representatives supported the ban on individual prop bets and emphasized student-athlete safety, while WSU also argued the bill would expand exposure to harassment and online abuse. No vote was taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6079, which would create the Strengthen Washington Homes wildfire mitigation grant program. Staff said the bill would fund grants for wildfire-hardening homes to IBHS standards, authorize pilot projects, and prohibit insurers from using wildfire risk to disqualify homes that meet the standards. Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuder and Senator Marcus Riccelli supported the bill, arguing that wildfire losses and non-renewals are increasing and that upfront mitigation is cheaper than recovery. Local officials and advocates from Medical Lake, Washington Realtors, and climate and wildfire groups also supported the measure. Insurance industry representatives supported the mitigation goals but objected to the bill’s requirement that insurers provide coverage based on IBHS designation and to using the commissioner’s regulatory account as a funding source, saying underwriting still needs to consider broader risk factors. No action was taken. The committee next held a work session and public hearing on Senate Bill 6061, which would create a tourism self-supported assessment program. State of Washington Tourism, the Washington Wine Commission, the Washington Hospitality Association, the Brewers Guild, the Port of Seattle, and rural economic development representatives said the state’s tourism program is underfunded and that an industry-led assessment could provide a stable, competitive funding source. They said the model would be governed by a ratepayer oversight board, subject to ratification, and could generate significant visitor spending and tax revenue over time. Some testimony raised concerns about the scope of eligible businesses and the bill’s references to other industries, but supporters said friendly amendments would refine those details. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5844 on self-storage rental agreements, which would allow electronic agreements, clarify acceptance by continued occupancy, and create a uniform process for termination or nonrenewal for nonpayment or nonmonetary defaults. Self-storage operators supported the bill as a modernization measure that would improve safety and consistency, and no vote was taken on any of the bills heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• please rise for the invocation which will be offered by the Reverend Eric Folkerth from Kessler Park United
• McLaughlin, Don McLaughlin of Evaldi to Evaldi County to lead us in the Pledges of Allegiance to the United
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• The United States enrolled in public school and requesting reimbursement from the United States government
• tax appraisals, HB 1548 by Raymond, ruling to the exemption for ad voem taxation by certain taxing units

Transcript Highlights:

• I got a reserve specialist designation in the United States.
• I was number eight in the United States when this came about in 1995.
• And, rephrasing in terms of a unit owner shall be entitled to a refund of any amount paid by the unit
• </c><00:25:47.919><c> owner</c> rephrasing in terms of a unit owner rephrasing in terms of a unit owner
• or unauthorized entry into dwelling or unauthorized entry into dwelling<00:49:37.280><c> in</c><00:49

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on January 30, 2025, and heard testimony on several condominium-related bills, beginning with HB 70. HB 70 would require a budget summary disclosure for condominiums. Supporters, including Community Associations Institute, a real estate broker, and several condominium owners, said the bill would improve consumer protection by giving owners and buyers a clearer, more understandable snapshot of an association’s financial health and reserve compliance. One supporter noted the bill should help reduce confusion caused by lengthy reserve studies and emphasized the importance of accurate disclosure. A testifier also urged the committee to hear other condominium bills quickly, including measures related to an ombudsman, managing agents, parliamentarians, and attorney’s fees. The committee then heard HB 106, which would change the process for condominium fines and disputes. Phil Nery of CAI and other supporters said the bill would strengthen due process by requiring clearer notice, allowing an internal board appeal, and then permitting small claims court review without attorney’s fees unless the fine is upheld. They argued this would prevent fines from escalating into costly legal disputes and provide a more linear, fair process. Some supporters suggested amendments, including clarifying that the statute controls over association documents and refining refund language. During questioning, members raised concerns about small claims limits and whether associations would be represented by volunteers or attorneys. One testifier initially in support later said he would not support the bill as written after hearing HPD’s concerns. HB 224, relating to property rights, drew opposition from the Department of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department. Both agencies said the bill would improperly push law enforcement into a quasi-judicial role and could short-circuit existing due process procedures for occupants of residences. A realtor who had initially been listed in support changed his position after hearing the opposition testimony. The committee also heard emotional testimony from a resident describing a long-running squatter and utility theft problem at a neighboring property, which he said took years of court action and police involvement to resolve. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 381 relative to sections 468 and 469, firearms and accessories.
• </c><01:03:28.160><c> That's</c><01:03:28.480><c> one</c> uh, firearms and accessories.
• That's one uh, firearms and accessories.
• There's always going to be issues that will come up as you progress. accounting units and reflected in
• house accounting units and reflected in house bill<01:05:44.400><c> one.

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 578 is an act relative to hunting near a dwelling, and I think Rep.
• Under the current law, Section 58, Chapter 131, no one may hunt within 500 feet of a dwelling without
• The majority of pet stores in the United States, 500 ordinances have been passed.
• The majority of pet stores in the United States do not sell puppies.
• , and New England is now the most heavily forested region in the United States.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The committee hearing covered a wide range of animal, wildlife, hunting, and environmental bills. Early testimony focused on deer management, with Rep. Markey urging creation of a deer commission to address crop damage, vehicle collisions, and Lyme disease, and Sen. Durant supporting bills to allow Sunday bow hunting, expand crossbow use, and reduce the 500-foot dwelling restriction for archery hunting. Supporters framed these measures as practical wildlife-management tools, while questions centered on how they would differ from existing Fish and Wildlife authority and whether they would allow hunting closer to residences. Later, Rep. Sena also spoke in support of a bill to increase protected wildlife management areas and another to require non-lead ammunition, arguing both would benefit biodiversity and reduce environmental harm. A substantial portion of the hearing addressed animal welfare and commerce. Multiple witnesses supported bills to ban or phase out the retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs in pet shops, arguing that pet stores rely on puppy mills and obscure the source of animals, while opponents said the bills would hurt responsible breeders, small businesses, and consumer choice. The committee also heard strong testimony for bills to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops, with supporters citing sick animals, consumer deception, and the need to cut off the puppy mill supply chain. In a separate animal-testing segment, witnesses backed bills requiring non-animal testing methods for cosmetics and household products, saying alternatives are more accurate and humane; biomedical research representatives opposed those bills and a related research-animal measure, warning of unintended restrictions on research institutions and arguing animal models remain necessary for many studies. The committee also heard testimony on horseshoe crab conservation, with supporters of H. 898 urging an end to taking horseshoe crabs for bait because of population declines, shorebird impacts, and the species’ importance to biomedical science. On wildlife trafficking, witnesses backed bills to ban intrastate sales of ivory and rhino horn, saying Massachusetts should close loopholes that aid poaching and align with federal law and other states; one antique dealer testified in support, saying he avoids such items and still sees them in the marketplace. Additional testimony supported bans on fur products from factory farms and on force-feeding birds for foie gras, with advocates emphasizing cruelty, public health, and environmental concerns. The hearing was lengthy and heavily attended, with the chairs repeatedly limiting testimony to three minutes and inviting written submissions; no committee votes or final actions were taken during the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Firstly, if an individual wrongfully enters the dwelling place of another with the intent to commit any
• author accepted: limit the bill only to apply to conduct that occurs while trespassing inside the dwelling
• to a party and then commit the offensive behavior later on, or even just be outside of the actual dwelling
• the language of the bill to, I think, the intent of the bill, which is if you unlawfully enter a dwelling
• AB 2664 is modeled off of protections that have been upheld by the Constitution and the United States

Committee: Senate Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• How about 100 apartment buildings with an unlimited number of dwelling units?
• Please exit the chamber. dwelling units that can be built on dwelling units that can be built on these
• </c><00:30:49.440><c> That</c> know how many dwelling units. That know how many dwelling units.
• This bill number of dwelling units?
• </c> places no cap on the number of dwelling places no cap on the number of dwelling units<00:56:19.200

Transcript Highlights:

• desk, and it repeals the requirement that motel operators place signs displaying rates for rental units
• :08.160><c> our</c><00:05:08.360><c> digital</c><00:05:08.720><c> day</c><00:05:08.880><c> and</c> units
• and again in our digital day and units and again in our digital day and age<00:05:09.680><c> both</c
• He said RSA 42-A:26 is really the whole thing that governs these dwellings over water.
• </c> the statue that governs these dwellings the statue that governs these dwellings over<01:34:06.159

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, not dwelling on the past, but looking towards the future.
• Air Force, serving in Vietnam, Europe, Western Asia, and the United States.
• And the United States.
• A rare disease is a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.
• United on this topic.

Bills: HR210 , HR142 , HCR150 , HR132 , HCR140 , HR133 , HCR141 , HR182 , HCR192 , HR96 , HCR104 , HR57 , HCR63 , HR56 , HCR62 , HR39 , HCR43 , HR48 , HCR52 , HR119 , HCR127 , HR111 , HCR119 , HR88 , HCR96 , HR120 , HCR128 , HR117 , HCR125 , HR51 , HCR55 , HR54 , HCR58 , HR149 , HCR159 , HR64 , HCR70 , HR42 , HCR46 , HR84 , HCR92 , HR92 , HCR100 , HCR172 , HR172 , HCR182 , HR75 , HCR83 , HR116 , HCR124 , HR36 , HCR38 , HR73 , HCR79 , HR125 , HCR133 , HR136 , HCR144 , HCR60 , HCR20 , HR32 , HCR32 , HR115 , HCR123 , HR108 , HCR116 , HR7 , HCR8 , HR47 , HCR51 , HR178 , HCR188 , HCR48 , HCR49 , HR15 , HCR13 , HR107 , HCR115 , HR168 , HCR178 , HR62 , HCR68 , HR83 , HCR91 , HR147 , HCR155 , HR164 , HCR174 , HR169 , HCR179 , HR175 , HCR185 , HR106 , HCR114 , HR183 , HCR193 , HR85 , HCR93 , HR137 , HCR145

Keywords: Earl Kawaʻa, Earl Kawaa, H.R. 210, House Resolution, Hawaii Legislature, Hawaiian language, language revitalization, mānaleo, native Hawaiian speaker, Hawaiian culture, cultural preservation, Hoʻoponopono, Kamehameha Schools, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, community mentorship, traditional practices, āina-based education, kaiapuni, Peace Corps

Transcript Highlights:

• You all know we're considered now the second least affordable market in the United States.
• These buildings would be capped at six stories and allow only four units per floor.
• They are already equal or legal under the IBC up to three stories with four units per floor.
• IBC up to three stories with four units per floor.
• The building has four dwelling units on any floor, and the square footage of each floor is 6,000 square

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• shows that a staggering 24,883 vacant housing units in Massachusetts, including 41,734 units listed
• for rent but unoccupied, and 66,579 of those units categorized as other vacant.
• If the property or units are listed as rental units, the income derived from the rent will be exempt
• units.
• units.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hearing on several housing-related bills, with chairs Adrienne Madaro and James Eldridge framing the discussion as part of the Legislature’s broader response to the state’s housing crisis and noting that many of the bills build on the 2024 Affordable Homes Act. The chairs reviewed hearing procedures, including the three-minute oral testimony limit, the option to submit written testimony, and the hybrid format. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony began with support for H. 3278, a bill to create a graduated deed excise tax for affordable housing. Representative Worel argued that higher-end real estate transactions should contribute more to fund affordable housing production, saying the measure would not burden working families and would help address racial inequities in homeownership and displacement. Representative Soder then supported H. 3247, which would promote redevelopment of abandoned buildings through expanded tax incentives for renovating vacant properties for sale or rent, arguing that it would bring blighted units back into use and generate future tax revenue. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3040/S. 1969, residential improvement or R-PACE legislation. Robert Giles of Home Run Financing and Nicole Steele of Amalgamated Bank described the program as a voluntary, assessment-based financing tool that could help homeowners pay for energy efficiency, resilience, and other major repairs without upfront costs, and said it could complement existing Mass Save programs while expanding access to more homeowners. In contrast, Judith Lieben of the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute opposed H. 3039/S. 1946, the Housing Development Incentive Program bill, arguing it would expand subsidies for market-rate and luxury housing in Gateway Cities instead of directing resources to low-income renters. Representative Hawkins also testified in support of H. 3121, which would end large investor control of homes in Massachusetts by imposing an excise tax on large owners of small residential properties and using the revenue for first-time homebuyer down payment assistance. After testimony and a few member questions, the chairs asked whether anyone else wished to testify and then adjourned the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• IF SOMETHING IS 1900 SQUARE FEET YOU CAN GO UP 100 SQUARE FEET FOR A NET 3800 SQUARE FOOT DWELLING. >
• SENATORS, WE WILL MOVE TO TAB 9 SB 1128 BUILDING PERMITS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLINGS.
• THEY WANT TO SMALL PHOTO HOUSING UNITS BACK HOME.
• AND SELFLESS FLORIDA THERE IS ONE CITY THAT HAS HAD 221 UNITS BUILT, COMPLETED AND OCCUPIED.
• HOUSING BUT THERE IS ONE PROJECT WITH A COMPLETED PHASE 1 AND THAT HAS BEEN DONE AND THEY HAVE 136 UNITS

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed setback of 500 feet from dwellings is too close for adequate fire safety and erosion control
• The national statistics say that 3% of land is needed in the United States to cover solar.
• They don't want to see it from their home, from their dwelling.
• agreements or the community benefit agreements that they negotiate is that, hey, if you've got occupied dwellings
• , you need to put up a viewshed blocker to block that from the occupied dwelling, make sure that the

Summary: The House Utilities Committee resumed hearing on House Bills 2402 and 2816, which address utility-scale solar development. The chair asked witnesses to keep comments to informational purposes, and testimony focused on setbacks, taxation, land conversion caps, county authority, decommissioning, and impacts on neighboring landowners and rural communities. Several witnesses said they supported solar in limited settings such as rooftops or industrial sites, but opposed or wanted changes to the bills’ treatment of agricultural land, especially the proposed 4% cap on cropland conversion and the 500-foot setback from homes. Testimony from landowners and farm groups emphasized concerns about property rights, viewshed impacts, fire risk, drainage and floodplain issues, and the loss of agricultural tax base and local economic activity. They argued the proposed $2,500 per megawatt tax was too low and suggested higher rates, with some recommending $6,000 per megawatt or more, along with decommissioning requirements and stronger county-level protections. A Renew Missouri representative supported much of the bill but preferred a smaller setback and raised constitutional concerns about changing solar land from agricultural to commercial assessment. Other witnesses, including a county commissioner, described local regulations already in place in some counties and asked for clearer statewide standards. Industry and utility representatives said the legislation was generally workable but needed further discussion on setbacks and property tax treatment. Clean Grid Alliance and related witnesses argued that tax comparisons with other states should account for total tax burden, not just nameplate taxes, and said higher taxes would raise electricity costs for consumers. Ameren Missouri said it was acceptable with most provisions, but cautioned against overly aggressive real-property assessments and noted its current and planned solar buildout. The hearing ended without a vote; the committee adjourned after taking testimony on both bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• other to comply: either all doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the dwelling
• other to comply: either A, all doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the dwelling
• Either A, all doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the dwelling where that
• products on the market, the non-FDA-approved nicotine devices, which are currently sold all across the United

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries met and reported several bills favorably. SB 530 on state lotteries was presented with two technical amendments and passed as amended. The bill revises Department of Lottery powers and duties, updates bid/proposal information requirements, adds definitions related to ball machines, and gives the department more flexibility to purchase rather than lease machines. SB 204 also passed favorably; it increases penalties for illegal slot machine operations to a third-degree felony and creates a process for veteran service organizations to seek binding declaratory statements from the Gaming Commission about whether a machine is lawful. Testimony on SB 204 included support from Florida Gaming and soft opposition from a veteran organization that wanted clearer language and more cooperation on electronic bingo-type games. The committee then took up a combined proposed committee substitute merging SB 658 and SB 608 on water safety requirements for rental and residential properties. The merged bill requires certain rental properties near water bodies or with swimming pools to have specified safety devices, such as exit alarms, self-closing/self-latching locks, pool fences, pool covers, or pool alarms, and allows DBPR enforcement for vacation rentals. Supporters emphasized the bill’s goal of preventing child drownings, citing Florida’s high number of fatal drownings and the disproportionate impact on young children and children with autism. The combined bill was reported favorably. SB 980 on nicotine dispensing devices was amended with a delete-all amendment creating the Florida Agegate Act. The substitute bill restricts advertising, promotion, and display of non-FDA-approved nicotine devices in retail settings accessible to those under 21, sets escalating penalties, directs fine revenue to enforcement and youth prevention, and authorizes inspections and warrantless searches tied to retail permits. Members discussed whether the bill would effectively curb illegal and counterfeit products and how enforcement would work; the sponsor said the measure is intended to reduce youth access in light of limited enforcement resources. The bill passed favorably. SB 1708 on veterinary licensure by endorsement also passed, removing a three-year out-of-state practice requirement for licensed veterinarians while keeping other qualifications intact to help address veterinary shortages. Finally, SB 680 on electric vehicle charging taxation passed with a strike-all amendment creating a sales tax exemption for electricity sold to EV charging station operators and transferred to consumers, provided it is separately metered and properly documented. The committee adjourned after noting additional support forms and inviting members to a later K-12 speech and debate bill presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• O God of heaven and of the earth, whose spirit dwells in the hearts of all people, make us conscious
• Whose spirit dwells in the hearts of all people, make us conscious of your presence as we bow in prayer
• We finally felt free and safe in the United States.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the ninth day, Thursday, January 22, 2026, by roll call vote of 125 ayes to 4 nays. The chamber then moved through several points of personal privilege, including a lengthy remembrance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a moment of silence for the speaker’s family history and Holocaust victims, a moment of silence for a five-year-old child who drowned, a birthday acknowledgment for a member’s father, and a tribute to several longtime community leaders from Pagedale that was honored with applause. Members also introduced several special guests and interns, including a University of Missouri student interested in agriculture and public policy, a Liberty High School student shadowing for the day, a Mizzou student serving as an intern, and leaders from Jewish Vocational Services in Kansas City, which was recognized for its work resettling and supporting refugees and other new arrivals. The House then received first readings of House Bills 3097, 3098, and 3099, dealing respectively with a tax credit for youth police initiatives, funding for behavioral health services, and authority for advanced practice registered nurses. The Speaker appointed members to the Escort Committee for the State of the Judiciary Address. Announcements followed about the St. Charles County Municipal Showcase, committee meetings on crime and public safety and transportation, and a mandatory training after adjournment. The House then adjourned until 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• It would include chattel loans or retail installment contracts to purchase a dwelling where the dwelling
• Additionally, if the borrower is purchasing residential real property of up to four units and the purchase
• United, Homeowners of America United. I'm a homeowner. I live in a condo.
• For the record, my name is Raylene Chafano, co-founder of HOA United, and I'm here in strong support
• I'm a staff attorney with the Northwest Justice Project's Foreclosure Prevention Unit.

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two housing-related bills. Senate Bill 6054 would prohibit common interest communities, including HOAs and condominiums, from banning fire-hardened building materials that meet health and safety standards, while still allowing reasonable rules on design, placement, and appearance. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help homeowners reduce wildfire risk without forcing any resident to make changes, and staff explained that it would apply retroactively to conflicting governing documents. Testimony was generally supportive, including from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, the Washington State Community Associations Institute, and HOA United, though the American Wood Council asked for narrower definitions so wood products could still qualify under other standards. Senate Bill 5938 would revise the $80 foreclosure prevention fee created last session. Staff said the bill expands exemptions to include reverse mortgages for borrowers age 60 and older, chattel loans and retail installment contracts for dwellings secured as personal property, and limits duplicate charges in certain state-supported homeownership programs. It also removes the option to pay the fee from borrower cash at closing, allows financing through loan proceeds, clarifies disclosure and Commerce’s rulemaking authority, and directs Commerce and the Housing Finance Commission to study creating a state homeowner assistance fund by July 1, 2027. The sponsor and supporters said the changes would stabilize foreclosure prevention funding, prevent multiple charges on the same transaction, and help homeowners stay in their homes. Testimony on SB 5938 was strongly supportive from the Washington Homeownership Resource Center, the Washington Build Back Black Alliance, HOA United, and the Northwest Justice Project, with speakers emphasizing foreclosure prevention, housing stability, and the need for assistance for seniors, first-time buyers, and HOA homeowners. At the end of the hearing, the chair announced that the committee would likely take executive action on the bills early the next week and asked members to submit amendments by the stated deadlines.

Transcript Highlights:

• driver's license issued to the voter that indicates the voter has not presented proof of the voter's United
• to the Committee on Elections, HB 312 by TER relating to the eligibility of a person who is not a United
• ongoing criminal activity and the public health threats, and the establishment of the Border Protection Unit
• 371 by Bum Garner relating to the admission to public schools of child unlawfully present in the United
• relating to establishment of limitation of the total amount of advoum taxes is that certain taxing units