Transcript Highlights:

• </c> permits. This slide is using the St. permits. This slide is using the St.
• healthy housing sector.
• housing up to 24 housing is timelimited housing up to 24 months<00:29:53.440><c> where</c><00:29:53.679
• </c> to longerterm housing. to longerterm housing.
• </c> our fragile housing stability system. our fragile housing stability system.

Bills: HF3425, HF3424, HF1385

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, eviction, rent, nonpayment of rent, landlord-tenant, residential tenant, notice to quit, unlawful detainer, housing, lease violation, late fees, rental assistance, legal aid, tenant rights, Minnesota Statutes 504B.321, pre-eviction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to call to order our House Housing Committee hearing for Friday, February 13th.
• . permits. permits.
• </c> housing. Thank you. housing. Thank you. &gt;&gt; Thank<01:28:34.639><c> you.
• House Housing Committee hearing.
• </c> HP593 relating to affordable housing. HP593 relating to affordable housing.

Bills: HB1604, HB1713, HB1722, HB2270, HB2401, HB2515, HB1979, HB1593, HB1743, HB2122, HB1756, HB1837, HB1729

Keywords: agriculture, housing, workforce, land use, zoning, public-private partnerships, tax credit, school impact fees, impact fee exemption, school facilities authority, residential development, housing shortage, affordable housing, infill housing, land dedication, fee in lieu, school construction, developer exactions, fair share contributions, education contribution agreement

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 1604, which would create an agricultural workforce housing group within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to address shortages of farmworker housing. The department said it supported the bill’s intent but emphasized that the group’s early work should focus on gathering data and surveying farm operators to assess actual demand, to avoid “mission creep.” Testimony from the City and County of Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization, Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce was in support, with one witness suggesting a housing advocacy nonprofit be added to the working group for balance. The committee then discussed HB 1713 on school impact fees, which would clarify exemptions for certain affordable housing projects and exempt new residential developments of fewer than 100 units. The Attorney General’s office said the bill should define “low to moderate income households” because that term is not defined in chapter 302A. HHFDC, the School Facilities Authority, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, and others supported the measure, arguing it would reduce administrative burden and remove barriers to housing. Members questioned whether the bill should instead repeal the school impact fee entirely; supporters said they also favored full repeal but viewed this bill as a more feasible step. The School Facilities Authority also explained that about $28 million in school impact fees had been collected across four districts and none had yet been spent, and discussed how recent nexus requirements limit how the funds can be used. HB 1722, relating to residential condominiums, drew extensive testimony and questioning. HCDA supported the bill and explained that it amends the 99-year leasehold pilot program created by Act 97 of 2023 by reducing owner-occupancy restrictions from 100% of units to 60%, allowing some rental or subleasing flexibility for the owner-occupied units, and permitting up to 40% of units to be sold to qualified residents after being on the market for more than 60 days. HCDA said the original restrictions, combined with rising construction costs, higher interest rates, and competition from nearby projects, made the pilot project difficult to market and finance; it said the changes are needed to make the project feasible and competitive. Supporters including AP Hawaii, Kila LLC, and project representatives said the amendments would help make the demonstration project in Kakaʻako viable. Some members raised concerns that the changes could weaken long-term affordability and questioned why certain ownership language was being deleted if rentals would still be restricted. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the one of the next, you know, and the next to the United States and the House of the House of the

Bills: SB325, HB513, SB357, HB513, HB626

Keywords: youth residential facilities, abuse prevention, law enforcement, video surveillance, civil penalties, record keeping, child rights, background check, criminal history, biometric identifiers, fingerprints, iris scan, palm print, photograph, rap back, NGI Rap Back, ALEA, Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, AJIC, Alabama Justice Information Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• ADOT denied the permit because of this sort of catch-all underlying residential permit, even though it
• To get that permit, Luke Air Force Base has to give you the compatibility permit, and they gave their
• , veteran housing, affordable housing, or homeless housing in Arizona.
• It's $7 million appropriated so we can do housing, transitional housing, veteran housing, affordable
• Why are we not doing this to house people, house the homeless, and put it more in healing and helping

Bills: SB1232, SB1421, SB1505, SB1511, SB1520, SB1803

Keywords: outdoor advertising, military compatibility, zoning, electronic signage, permitting, undocumented immigrants, financial services, identification requirements, loans, foreign remittances, transitional housing, military, veterans, grant program, supportive services, SB1511, commercial driver license, CDL, nondomiciled CDL, nondomiciled commercial driver license

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, our housing challenge across the state has continued to deepen, and as we know, housing isn't
• </c> legal aid and Minnesota multi- Housing legal aid and Minnesota multi- Housing Association<00:02:
• The state should not fund displacement, and House File 1854 ensures that public housing funds are used
• Guess who owns the house?
• Guess who owns the house?

Bills: HF2296, HF1566, HF1854, HF1385, HF1142

Keywords: landlord-tenant, victim confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, tenant privacy, housing law, eviction, unpaid rent, damages, release of information, shared database, protective order, victim of violence, Minnesota Statutes 504B.206, housing finance, civil law, autism, rental properties, reasonable accommodation

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 1859 concerns affordable housing on properties owned by religious organizations.
• Welcome to House Finance.
• to 80% affordable housing, and we are ready to work ...housing to 80% affordable housing, and we are
• We support House Bill 1717.
• We will close House Bill 1859. We will close House Bill 1859.

Bills: HB1717, HB1859

Keywords: affordable housing, sales tax, housing programs, tax incentives, economic development, religious organizations, development, housing opportunities, land use, 904, all

Summary: House Finance met on January 15 and heard public testimony on House Bill 1717 and House Bill 1859 before moving into a work session on the Working Families Tax Credit. HB 1717 would let cities and counties create a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing, with testimony from Habitat for Humanity, housing advocates, counties, cities, and developers emphasizing that the local tax rebate could help projects pencil out amid high construction and financing costs. Supporters also said the bill would give local governments flexibility to tailor affordability requirements, while a committee question raised how county and city approvals would interact. The bill’s sponsor said the measure was revised after last session to fit budget constraints and to help speed housing production. HB 1859 would expand affordable housing opportunities on land owned by religious organizations by lowering the affordability threshold for density bonus eligibility from 100% to at least 50% affordable units and creating a new state and local sales and use tax exemption for qualifying projects. The sponsor and supporters said faith communities have land near transit and services but projects often fail to finance under current rules; several witnesses described existing or planned church-based housing developments in Tacoma, Redmond, Bellevue, Spokane, and elsewhere. Some testimony asked to include affordable homeownership projects in addition to rentals, and one committee exchange focused on how homeownership could affect congregational land legacy and gentrification concerns. A county representative objected to a provision requiring local governments to create a process for updating regulations upon request from qualifying organizations, calling it an unfunded burden. In the work session, the committee heard from advocates and a policy researcher about the Working Families Tax Credit. Testimony focused on simplifying eligibility and application processes, expanding eligibility to all adults 18 and older, increasing the benefit amount, including people without earned income, and raising income limits. A California Policy Lab presenter described a data-linking approach used in California to identify eligible non-filers and improve take-up through targeted outreach, which increased participation and put millions more dollars into households’ pockets. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We all know that we are in a housing crisis, and permitting and costs related to individual custom homes
• plans for middle housing, you know, stick-built middle housing.
• These include land use permits, environmental permits, Permits from the local government allowing the
• These include land use permits, environmental permits, and others known as project permits.
• permits that do.

Bills: SB6001, SB6015, SB6054, SB5470, SB5884, SB6018, SB6027, SB6028

Keywords: building code, scissor stairs, safety regulations, construction standards, statebuilding regulations, residential building, construction permits, housing development, planning efficiency, state regulations, wildfire, home hardening, fire-resistant materials, fire-hardened building materials, common interest communities, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, condo association, wildland urban interface

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several housing-related bills. On SB 6054, Senator Hunt’s wildfire home-hardening bill, staff explained it would bar CIC governing documents from prohibiting fire-hardened materials that meet safety standards, while still allowing reasonable aesthetic rules. Hunt said the bill would help homeowners in wildfire-prone areas avoid requirements like shake roofs or bans on metal roofs. Testifiers generally supported the goal but two community association representatives objected to the bill’s 10% cost cap, saying it could limit community-specific design standards and that associations should be able to offer approved material options instead. The committee then heard SB 601 on scissor stairs in the building code. Staff said it would require the State Building Code Council to convene a technical advisory group to recommend code amendments allowing scissor stairs in buildings with more than two dwelling units. The chair described the bill as a housing-supply and design-efficiency measure. Testimony from housing advocates, architects, and industry representatives supported the bill, saying scissor stairs can improve floor plan efficiency, allow more units and better light and ventilation, and support taller or smaller-footprint buildings. No vote was taken. The committee also heard SB 6015 on permit-ready residential plans. Staff said the bill would direct L&I to create a process for soliciting and publishing approved plans for factory-built housing and require local governments to accept them on qualifying lots, with Commerce developing model ordinances. Supporters said the bill would reduce duplication, speed permitting, and help modular and factory-built housing scale; some asked that site-built plans also be included. L&I and counties said they support the concept but raised concerns about clarity, local design standards, and a statewide mandate to adopt model ordinances. The committee also heard SB 5470 on detached ADUs outside UGAs, with supporters saying it would expand rural housing options and opponents from Futurewise urging tighter density, lot-size, and metering safeguards. Finally, SB 5729 on permit streamlining drew support from builders and business groups but opposition from counties and Futurewise, who argued the bill’s completeness and review-cycle limits could create more denials, reduce communication, and conflict with recent permitting reforms. The meeting ended with staff beginning executive-session briefings on additional bills, starting with SB 5884 and a proposed substitute.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Chair lays out House Bill 5689.
• At this time, House Bill 5689 will be left pending. The Chair lays out House Bill 3753.
• House Bill 3753 addresses.
• A critical barrier to affordable housing development here in Texas that ties housing opportunities to
• The Chair recalls House Bill.

Bills: HB293, HB 1173, HB3753, HB4999, HB5696, SB2145, HB5689, HB5690, HB5694, HB5698, HB293

Keywords: HB 293, Texas housing tax credits, low-income housing, affordable housing, private activity bonds, PAB, qualified allocation plan, TDHCA, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, state representative objection, housing development approval, municipal notice, county commissioners court, extraterritorial jurisdiction, LIHTC, bond-financed housing, homelessness, housing services, Texas Department of Housing, municipal programs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> your state house of representatives. your state house of representatives.
• </c><00:16:59.920><c> of</c> and welcome to your House of and welcome to your House of Representatives
• <c> House</c><00:17:17.600><c> of</c> to your House of House of to your House of House of Representatives
• </c> here and and welcome to your house. here and and welcome to your house.
• /c><00:19:42.799><c> of</c> welcome to your House of welcome to your House of Representatives.<00:19:

Bills: HB1601, HB1616, HB1603, HB1604, HB1605, HB1606, HB1802, HB1569, HB1619, HB1730, HB1749, HB644, HB1620

Keywords: biosecurity, invasive species, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, Department of Land and Natural Resources, appropriation, agriculture, aquaculture, commercial activity, swine production, Korean natural farming, land leases, Hawaii, extension, Department of Agriculture, housing, workforce, land use, zoning, public-private partnerships, tax credit

Transcript Highlights:

• tax preference for such housing.
• housing from emergency housing, understanding that the first mentioned is really, as we've said, housing
• is housing.
• midst of a housing crisis.
• is housing.

Bills: HB2266, HB2489

Keywords: housing, supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency shelters, homelessness prevention, public space, local governance, life-sustaining activities, statewide standards, regulation, 904, all

Summary: The Housing Committee met in executive session on two bills. On Substitute House Bill 2266, the committee reviewed a proposed substitute for the step housing bill and several amendments. The substitute would set different siting rules for transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, emergency shelters, and emergency housing; allow some local prohibitions in critical areas and certain resource lands; streamline local variance approvals; require local governments to update regulations within two years or at the next comprehensive plan update; and grandfather existing step housing. Members discussed amendments addressing school and daycare setbacks, form-based codes, operational safety requirements, timing of checklist items, local reporting/auditing requirements, and preemption of conflicting local rules. Several amendments were adopted, including the form-based code, timing/clarity, and preemption amendments, while others were rejected. The bill then passed out of committee on a 10-7 vote with a do pass recommendation. The committee then took up Substitute House Bill 2489, which would prohibit local governments from enforcing laws that criminalize or penalize life-sustaining activities on public property unless adequate alternative shelter space is available. The proposed substitute clarified that the bill would not limit state criminal laws, added exceptions for imminent risk, obstruction, and disability access issues, allowed local policies for documenting shelter availability and outreach, expanded the definition of adequate shelter space to include regional interlocal agreements, and narrowed the definition of life-sustaining activities. Amendments were considered on park facilities where children are likely to be present, weapons screening and possession in shelters, and portable mats or beds in drop-in shelters; the park-facility and weapons amendments were withdrawn or rejected, while the portable mat/bed amendment was adopted. After debate over public safety, homelessness, and local control, the committee approved the bill on a 9-8 vote with a do pass recommendation and adjourned for the week.

Transcript Highlights:

• Similarly, step housing must be subject to the same permitting and environmental use processes as other
• housing or day housing or both?
• Cities may at times prohibit permanent supportive housing or may require so many additional permits,
• House Bill 2266 addresses these obstacles directly, requiring cities and counties to permit housing similar
• Everett has invested in and supported numerous types of step housing, permitting it throughout our community

Bills: HB2266, HB2489

Keywords: housing, supportive housing, transitional housing, emergency shelters, homelessness prevention, public space, local governance, life-sustaining activities, statewide standards, regulation, 904, all

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard a work session on federal Continuum of Care funding and state shelter siting rules before moving to public hearings on House Bills 2266 and 2489. Ted Kelleher of the Department of Commerce said HUD’s late and restrictive 2025 Continuum of Care notice threatened roughly $120 million a year in Washington for existing permanent supportive housing and shelter operations, but a multistate lawsuit led by the Washington Attorney General has forced HUD to begin renewing funding. Dave Anderson of Commerce then reviewed state step-housing implementation, explaining the legal framework for siting shelters and supportive housing, the model ordinance and guidance Commerce developed, and ongoing plan reviews and hearings board cases involving local compliance. House Bill 2266 would require cities and counties to allow step housing in all nonindustrial zones, limit local standards and permitting to those applied to comparable residential uses, require administrative rather than discretionary design review, remove an exception for existing buildings, and restrict conditions on affordable housing program participation. The bill sponsor and supporters from Plymouth Housing, Disability Rights Washington, King County, Catholic Community Services, and the Attorney General’s Office said local barriers, inconsistent zoning, and discretionary approvals delay or block needed housing and can violate civil rights laws. City officials and the Association of Washington Cities opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it goes too far by limiting operational agreements, spacing rules, and local safety tools, and by treating different housing types too uniformly; several asked for amendments to preserve local authority over operations and community protections. The committee then heard House Bill 2489, the “Shelters Not Penalties Act,” which would bar local governments from enforcing public-space laws against life-sustaining activities unless adequate alternative shelter space is available. The bill defines adequate shelter broadly, including accessibility, no-cost access, accommodation for disabilities, pets, partners, family members, and possessions, and it creates a defense and private right of action against enforcement. Supporters including the ACLU of Washington, Interfaith Works, and the bill sponsor argued that anti-camping enforcement displaces people without solving homelessness, wastes public resources, and should be tied to real shelter availability. Early questions focused on how the bill would apply to parks and other public property, what counts as adequate shelter, and whether bad-faith camping would be affected; testimony continued with additional supporters as the hearing proceeded.

Transcript Highlights:

• development of residential housing or a conditional or special use permit or departure from development
• housing.
• As you know, permits for multifamily housing construction in Washington State have fallen precipitously
• In Seattle, multifamily housing permits are down 40%, with approximately 1,600 permit applications through
• housing gets built.

Bills: SB6018, SB6026, SB6027, SB6028, SB5937, SB5938

Keywords: housing, finance, commission, state funding, affordable housing, residential development, zoning reform, mixed-use zoning, commercial zones, Growth Management Act, GMA, state preemption, local land use, development regulations, ground-floor retail, ground-floor commercial, permit waiver, waiver process, density, urban growth area

Summary: The committee heard Senate Bill 6026, which would require cities and counties planning under the Growth Management Act with populations of 30,000 or more to allow residential uses in commercial and mixed-use zones and prohibit mandatory ground-floor commercial or mixed-use requirements in most such areas, with exemptions for certain sensitive or constrained locations. The prime sponsor, Senator Alvarado, and supporters from the Governor’s Office, Commerce, housing advocates, developers, and major employers said the bill would unlock underused land, reduce housing costs, and add flexibility where infrastructure already exists. Local government and business representatives raised concerns about impacts on small business corridors, tax base stability, planning assumptions, and the loss of ground-floor retail in main street and transit-oriented areas, while several asked for narrower carve-outs or technical amendments. The committee also took public hearing testimony on Senate Bill 6018, which would update the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s authority to allow more flexible financing tools, including direct mortgage lending to borrowers, while clarifying that the bill is not intended to authorize first-mortgage lending for homebuyers. The commission, the sponsor, and banking stakeholders said the changes would modernize outdated statutes and help finance affordable housing, and bankers said they were working with the sponsor on clarifying language. No vote was taken on SB 6018 during the hearing. Senate Bill 6027 was heard next and would expand how local housing-related sales tax revenues and state affordable housing funds can be used, including for operations, maintenance, preservation, and rehabilitation of existing affordable housing and supportive housing. Supporters from counties, cities, housing providers, and advocacy groups said the bill would help preserve existing units and respond to federal funding uncertainty, especially around permanent supportive housing and Continuum of Care dollars. Testifiers also asked for additional flexibility for rental assistance and for certain local uses, but no committee action was taken during the public hearing. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6028, which would create a revolving loan fund administered by the Housing Finance Commission to support mixed-income affordable homeownership projects. The sponsor and supporters said the fund would help stalled for-sale projects move forward, recycle dollars through repayment, and create permanently affordable homes; one supporter suggested increasing the project cap and clarifying eligible capital sources. The committee did take executive action on SB 5937 and SB 5938 earlier in the meeting, adopting amendments and advancing both bills with due-pass recommendations to the Rules Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to House Finance.
• And I think that LECs still have to operate under the fair housing guidelines and the federal fair housing
• The housing authority or a public corporation operating as a land bank authority could own the housing
• Let's move on to House Bill 2334.
• It has been moved and seconded that proposed substitute house bill, proposed second substitute house

Bills: HB1983, HB1974, HB2334, HB2367, HB2650, HB2655

Keywords: timberland, real estate, excise tax, governmental entities, property taxation, land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on several bills. HB 2451, a substitute bill on local tax increment financing, would add conditions on where increment areas can be designated, require more detailed project analyses and earlier notice/consultation with affected taxing districts, expand dispute resolution steps, and exempt preexisting TIF areas from some changes; cities, ports, and fire/public safety stakeholders testified in support, saying the bill reflects a negotiated compromise and improves protections for impacted districts. HB 2322 would change the alternative jet fuel incentive program from a production-capacity trigger to a date-certain start, add carbon-intensity scoring for fuels outside the Clean Fuels Program, and extend the credits through 2046; supporters said it gives certainty and helps develop sustainable aviation fuel, while an opponent argued the bill subsidizes continued fuel burning and urged reducing flights instead. HB 2590 would exempt limited equity cooperatives from WUCIOA unless they opt in, move and revise the statutory definition of LECs, and let cooperatives set certain resale and return terms in their governing documents; supporters said it removes mismatched legal barriers to affordable homeownership, while members raised concerns about unintended restrictive eligibility rules and asked about fair housing limits. HB 2655 would create a new sales and use tax exemption for certain new data centers in a specific eastern Washington county, conditioned on labor standards, job creation, and sustainability certifications; labor and economic development supporters said it would bring jobs and support related clean-energy projects, while opponents criticized the subsidy and the project labor/community workforce agreement requirements. The committee then took executive action and reported out HB 1983, HB 1974 as amended, HB 2334 as amended, HB 2367, and HB 2650, all with do-pass recommendations; HB 2367’s amendment to remove the emergency clause failed, and the committee adjourned after passing HB 2650 unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and it's your house. and it's your house.
• As an example, to re-roof a house, you do not need a building permit at all.
• , you do not need a re-roof a house, you do not need a building<00:12:31.680><c> permit</c><00:12:32.040
• </c> building permit at all. building permit at all.
• So, permits.

Bills: HB1743, HB2122, HB1756, HB1837, HB1729, HB2559

Keywords: owner-builder, exemption, housing crisis, contractor, leasing restrictions, affordable housing, construction, regulations, teacher housing, housing vouchers, teacher retention, Hawaii Department of Education, hard-to-staff schools, housing, first-time home buyers, savings account, tax deductions, homeownership, savings accounts, tax deduction

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on several housing-related bills. HB 1743 would expand the owner-builder exemption by repealing a leasing restriction and requiring notice when a leased residential structure was built by an unlicensed contractor. Subcontractors Association of Hawaii and the Contractors Licensing Board opposed the bill, warning it could encourage unlicensed contracting and weaken consumer protections, while Hawaii Realtors, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, BIA Hawaii, and others supported it as a way to increase housing flexibility. After questions about whether licensed electrical and plumbing work would still be required, the committee voted to pass HB 1743 with amendments and a defective date. The committee also heard and advanced HB 2122 HD1 on teacher housing, which would create a teacher housing assistance program using vouchers from the teachers housing revolving fund. Testimony included support from the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Housing Hawaii’s Future, the Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and individuals, with the Office of Collective Bargaining in opposition and the Department of Education offering comments. The bill was voted out as is. The committee then considered HB 1756 and HB 1837, both updating the individual housing account program to reflect current housing prices; supporters including Housing Hawaii’s Future and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs said the limits were outdated and needed inflation adjustments, and HB 1756 was passed with amendments while HB 1837 was deferred as nearly identical. HB 1729 would disallow the state home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. Hawaii Realtors opposed it, while Housing Hawaii’s Future supported it as a way to prioritize first-time homebuyers and reduce competition from second-home buyers. The chair noted a possible revenue savings estimate and the committee passed the bill with amendments, with several reservations. Finally, HB 2559 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to limited exclusive groups of buyers, which the Office of Consumer Protection said needed an enforcement clarification and the Realtors said could affect some legitimate private-listing situations. The chair proposed replacing the outright ban with a disclosure requirement for private listings, and the committee passed HB 2559 with amendments. The hearing then adjourned after the chair thanked members, staff, and the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2236 makes a number of changes to the Housing Finance Commission laws. ...for your testimony
• House Bill 2236 makes a number of changes to the Housing Finance Commission laws.
• House Bill 2236 makes a number of changes to the Housing Finance Commission laws.
• So House Bill 2236 would make a number of changes to the Housing Finance Commission laws.
• And the housing finance program and housing finance plan requirements are repealed.

Bills: HB2118, HB2236

Keywords: common interest communities, restrictions, property rights, homeowners association, community governance, housing finance, affordable housing, housing commission, state agency, financial assistance, 904, all

Summary: The Housing Committee held public hearings on two bills. House Bill 2118 would limit homeowners associations in common interest communities from adopting or enforcing new covenant restrictions on unit uses that are more onerous than those in place when an owner bought the property, unless the owner agrees in writing. The sponsor said the bill is meant to protect buyers from having the rug pulled out from under them on things like chickens or rental uses and to provide certainty and fairness. Opponents argued it would create fragmented rules within the same community, add administrative and legal complexity, increase costs, and interfere with ongoing efforts to update governing documents under existing law. Several testifiers said Washington courts and current HOA practices already address grandfathering and reasonable protections for existing uses. No vote was taken. House Bill 2236 would update the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s statutes, including allowing the commission to make direct mortgage loans, extending the term of the commission attorney, removing advance notice to the state finance committee for bond issuance, repealing the housing finance program and plan requirements, and revising the commission’s purpose language. The commission said the changes would modernize outdated 1983-era provisions, improve administrative efficiency, and give it more flexibility to use its revenues and financing tools for gap funding, preservation, and starter home development. Banking groups said they generally support the commission’s mission but want clearer limits on direct lending and the use of public funds, and they were working with the commission on amendments. Committee members asked about bond risk, the source of funds, and whether the bill could be narrowed to avoid unintended exposure of taxpayer money. The hearing closed with no action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Give them, use that house for purposes of housing, these employees that we value so much.
• House Bill 189, Ms. Robinson. House Bill 189, Ms. Robinson.
• Members, House Bill 623 provides for a three-tier system of permitting for the producers, manufacturers
• reps and House senators.
• For House reps and House senators, this election then falls in 2028.

Bills: HR3, HR80, HB4, HB172, HB189, HB623, HB944, HB1185, HB1199, HB1222, SB105, SB125, SB461

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• of Honolulu to develop a countywide housing pattern book to streamline permit approvals.
• of Honolulu to develop a countywide housing pattern book to streamline permit approvals.
• of Honolulu to develop a countywide housing pattern book to streamline permit approvals.
• of Honolulu to develop a countywide housing pattern book to streamline permit approvals.
• of Honolulu to develop a countywide housing pattern book to streamline permit approvals.

Bills: SB2405, HCR19, HCR63, HCR85, HCR140, HCR166, HCR82, HCR98, HCR104, HCR106, HCR141, HCR165, HR20, HR57, HR77, HR132, HR156, HR74, HR90, HR96, HR98, HR133, HR155

Keywords: agricultural workforce, housing, Hawaii, working group, zoning, land use, financial incentives, tax credits, water conservation, infrastructure, public health, March4Water, water access, sustainable resources, Honopou Bridge, emergency access, wildfire risk, public safety, structural integrity, community outreach

Summary: The Water and Land Committee met on April 7 and heard testimony on several resolutions and one bill. SB 2405 SD1 HD2, relating to agricultural workforce housing, received support from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, HFTC, and the Hawaii Farmers Union, and the committee later recommended passage as is; one member voted with reservations citing department cost and staffing concerns. The committee also heard HCR 19/HR 20 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 63/HR 57 urging DLNR and DOT to clarify jurisdiction over Honouliuli Bridge, HCR 85/HR 77 on transferring parcels for the East Kapolei TOD project, HCR 140/HR 132 on vegetation management and fuel reduction in West Maui, HCR 166/HR 156 on identifying East Oahu lands for native Hawaiian tree planting, HCR 82/HR 74 on basic shelter standards for rapid deployment housing, HCR 98/HR 90 on a Honolulu housing pattern book, HCR 104/HR 96 on North Shore coastal trails, HCR 106/HR 98 on endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, HCR 141/HR 133 on Maui fire code enforcement, and HCR 165/HR 155 on permanent pickleball nets and lighting at Kamiloiki Community Park. Testimony was generally supportive on most measures, with several agencies and organizations submitting written comments or appearing in support. HCR 82/HR 74 drew the most discussion: the State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the intent but asked that accessibility be considered on the front end, while another testifier opposed the resolution, arguing it could turn temporary emergency shelters into permanent substandard housing and should be deferred. Committee members discussed temporary versus permanent housing standards and accessibility, and the chair later said the measure would be amended to require permanent units to meet appropriate code standards and to note accessibility concerns in the committee report. On HCR 140/HR 132, DLNR testified that firebreak maintenance on its Waianae lands would be costly, and members noted funding and staffing implications. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures it voted on. SB 2405 was passed with a reservation from one member; HCR 19/HR 20, HCR 63/HR 57, HCR 85/HR 77, HCR 98/HR 90, HCR 104/HR 96, HCR 106/HR 98, HCR 141/HR 133, and HCR 165/HR 155 were passed unamended, while HCR 140/HR 132 was passed with reservations and HCR 166/HR 156 and HCR 82/HR 74 were passed with amendments. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• of what fair housing is.
• local agencies that provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, or
• affordable housing.
• Because they’ve come in and applied for that permit. You’ve already approved the permit.
• , which is defined as housing advertised, maintained, designed, or constructed for housing persons 55

Bills: SB6091, SB6096, SB6153, SB6200

Keywords: SB 6091, Washington real estate, real estate broker, residential property, home listings, exclusive listing, limited marketing, open marketing, fair housing, brokerage law, consumer protection, housing access, MLS, seller disclosure, buyer representation, dual agency, designated broker, managing broker, short sale, real estate pamphlet

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several housing bills. SB 6091 would prohibit real estate brokers from marketing residential property to a limited or exclusive group unless it is also marketed to the general public. The sponsor and supporters, including Washington Realtors, Habitat for Humanity, Zillow, the Fair Housing Center, and several brokers, said the bill promotes transparency, competition, and fair housing by preventing “pocket listings” and hidden inventory that can exclude buyers and reinforce segregation. Opponents, including Compass representatives and some brokers, argued the bill would restrict homeowner choice, harm privacy, and create legal risk for brokers; the Attorney General’s office said it supported the competitive goal but had concerns about using the Washington Law Against Discrimination as the enforcement mechanism. The committee then closed testimony on SB 6091 without taking final action. SB 6200 would protect renters and manufactured home residents from landlord restrictions on portable cooling devices, with limits for safety, building code compliance, electrical capacity, and liability protections for landlords. The sponsor and supporters framed the bill as a public health response to deadly extreme heat, citing the 2021 heat dome and testimony from physicians, tenant advocates, and nonprofits that cooling can save lives and is often the only realistic option for renters. Multifamily housing and property management groups supported the concept but raised concerns about window-mounted units in high-rise buildings, insurance, property damage, and neighboring-unit impacts, asking for narrower language or exemptions. Testimony on SB 6200 then closed. The committee also heard SB 6096, which would require cities and towns to offer deferred collection of water and sewer connection charges for qualifying residential construction until final inspection or occupancy. The sponsor said the bill would ease upfront financing burdens for builders without reducing what local governments receive. Builders and business groups supported the measure as a way to lower development costs, while water and sewer districts and city officials opposed it, arguing it shifts financial risk to utilities and ratepayers and could complicate infrastructure planning. After testimony, the committee closed the hearing on SB 6096. Finally, the committee heard SB 6153, which would create a senior independent housing ombuds program, require registration of senior independent housing facilities, and make certain landlord violations subject to the Consumer Protection Act. The sponsor said seniors in independent living settings often lack meaningful protections and need an ombuds similar to those available in licensed care settings. Supporters, including residents and advocacy groups, said the bill would provide oversight, complaint resolution, and dignity for older adults living in 55-plus communities and CCRCs. Testimony on SB 6153 was underway at the end of the transcript.

Keywords: S.127 Housing and Housing Development, 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one bill House File agenda.
• People in supportive housing stay housed and nearly eliminate their use of shelter.
• ><c> stay</c><00:04:22.760><c> housed</c> People in supportive housing stay housed People in supportive
• House<00:07:48.200><c> Fiscal.</c> House Fiscal. House Fiscal.
• </c> needed to stay in in the housing. needed to stay in in the housing.

Bills: HF3425

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, 1183, house