SB5937 — The association states it is neutral on the bill.
Washington Multifamily Housing Association / WIMFER — Testified in support of the bill with neutrality after amendments and thanked the sponsors and committee members for their work.
Washington Multifamily Housing Association / WIMFER — Explained that the substitute reduced the need to repeatedly update lease policies when vendors change data policies.
Washington Multifamily Housing Association / WIMFER — Said the substitute preserved operational access and avoided unintended restrictions on maintenance, emergency entry, and compliance documentation.
Washington Multifamily Housing Association / WIMFER — Referenced as having made keypad exclusion a top priority in the bill discussions.
Jamie Pedersen — Was thanked for engagement on the issue, including discussions that began before session.
Manka Dhingra — Senator Gaynor was thanked for his leadership in improving the bill, including through the adoption of floor amendments 527 and 526, which were presented as part of the effort to strengthen the legislation.
Cyndy Jacobsen — Mentioned as Senator Bateman; credited with securing changes in the Senate Housing Committee. Name appears to be a transcription error and is questionable.
Serena Dolly — Presented the staff report on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5156.
SB5156 — Staff report introduced the bill concerning elevator standards and smaller apartment buildings.
Dan Bertelay — Remote witness to be queued up for testimony.
Dan Bertelay — Dan Bertelay of the Sightline Institute is introduced and then testifies in support of SB 5156, stating his pro position on the bill.
Stephen Smith — Stephen Smith is queued up and announced as the next witness, then begins his testimony in support of the bill, identifying himself as the executive director at the Center for Building in North America and citing high U.S. elevator costs and research on building codes.
Marcus Johnson — Remote witness to be queued up for testimony.
Marcus Johnson — The chair introduces Marcus Johnson, who then testifies in support of SB 5156, speaking on behalf of himself and emphasizing the need for right-sized elevators and lower installation costs.
Chris Corry — The vice chair is addressed by name in the committee exchange.
Unnamed speaker — Continues testimony about how expensive elevator requirements reduce accessible housing options and increase isolation for older adults and people with balance concerns.
SB5156 — The speaker expresses support for SB 5156, describing it as an important housing reform measure that promotes everyday safety, health, accessibility, and convenience. The bill is framed as part of the broader effort to improve elevator rules and make housing more accessible, and is characterized as another important piece of the puzzle in housing reform.
SB5156 — SB 5156 is supported as the 'small elevator bill' because it would reduce elevator costs and improve access to equipment and parts, helping make elevators more affordable and available. The discussion also emphasizes that the bill supports aging in place, community stability, and the production of intergenerational housing.
Jake Fey — During the committee proceedings, Jake Fey is referenced repeatedly as the chair (including likely transcription variants such as Chair Peterson and Mr. Chair) while the meeting moves through procedural transitions. The exchange includes thanking the chair, identifying a question from Ranking Member Lowe, and asking Vice Chair Richards who is up next, all as part of the same ongoing meeting flow.
HB2304 — Referenced as a House-passed bill expanding a condo liability insurance option for buildings up to four stories.
Billy Taylor — Billy Taylor is introduced as an upcoming witness, then testifies on behalf of the National Elevator Industry (NEI) in opposition to ESSB 5156, specifically Section 2, paragraph 2. In follow-up, he states that removing that section would move NEI to a neutral position.
Bryce Aiden — Bryce Aiden is introduced as an upcoming witness and then testifies on behalf of Futurewise in support of Senate Bill 5156, explaining that the bill supports accessibility in mid-rise housing.
Carter Nelson — Carter Nelson is introduced as a witness, then called to testify, and he appears on behalf of CREDA Washington State (the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, formerly NAIOP) in support of Senate Bill 5156.
SB5156 — Senate Bill 5156 was discussed as a housing-related measure that modernizes Washington’s elevator standards by updating an outdated framework to align with widely used standards. Speakers supported the bill for improving accessibility in multifamily housing, increasing clarity, predictability, and feasibility, and helping housing production without compromising safety.
Jason Gennon — Jason Gennon is introduced and then testifies on behalf of One Drop, a collective of BIPOC developers building privately funded affordable housing in Washington. He supports SB 5156 and explains the benefits of smaller elevator models, including cost and maintenance advantages.
SB6237 — Senate Bill 6237 is introduced in staff report as a bill requiring rental property disclosures about flooding history and flood risk, and the hearing on the bill later concludes.
Christel Perky — Christel Perky was called to testify and then stated that she was appearing on behalf of the Washington Multifamily Housing Association, indicating the association’s position on the bill as drafted.
SB6237 — The bill under testimony; WMFA states neutrality as currently drafted.
SB5937 — Explains the bill's subject: smart access systems in RLTA-covered housing.
Maddie Studeauff — Maddie Studeauff thanks the committee and identifies herself as the tenant Senator Peterson mentioned. She explains that after smart locks were installed, both the landlord and the lock company could track her building entry and exit, and the app collected invasive data such as browsing history and social media connections. She describes these privacy concerns and supports the bill, noting that New York City has a similar law requiring physical keys or key cards on request, and closes by thanking the committee for acting quickly.
Christel Perkey — Testifies on behalf of the Washington Multifamily Housing Association and states a neutral position.
SB5937 — The committee opens consideration of Senate Bill 5937 and hears an explanation of its provisions. The bill would require landlords, upon tenant request, to provide an alternative access method or key that does not rely on biometric identifiers, and it adds smart access system requirements under the RLTA. Those requirements limit data collection to the minimum necessary for system use and require disclosure of privacy practices, including a plain-language written policy if the developer’s policy does not contain the required information. The discussion also notes the bill’s January 1, 2027 effective date. Testimony then describes a real-world situation involving a landlord changing an entry system, illustrating why the bill is needed, and summarizes the bill as ensuring tenants can request a different access method that does not track movement or biometrics.