[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6120654,"mediaKeyId","2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003","parentId",2706075,"title","Committee hears bill directing Insurance Commissioner study on insurance options for permanently affordable homeownership","audioSeconds",1222,"startMs",1520000,"endMs",2742000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003&start=1520&end=2742","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003/thumbnail_1520000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6120654/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-directing-Insurance-Commissioner-study-on-insurance-options-for-permanently-affordable-homeownership","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120654-3c15933f239e02ca17c4ae515b72a24f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770695601&Signature=C79vVZkCkFMK73JKgxJ3FYrLO6Il0gOyOA6ssHISmvt5wErwdLwSq9L0nv6jm-WNxTpPUrgpk9P295TqdsygitVtNag61tq69xVPC09YJTTBc1-bt6Amt09faXyjDsHalU87b78Vtpej1jlrNV0gDryXrPZFlNjTQOJ7VHXp-7Ood36QKiBOLt7Gh6DTq7qF7AYLdb-o6xOkQqeGiRbU7-FbGmvyNHXWl6f3EIqDPOcqkpmm10HycElcQEqsDUVnsoRSMXCupzAz-n7bGfxY4tqcKMf4NopukXqKXbDYJp2YTIg5PT9bs3sBAG1TINT7rmbhWsnrqwYWllyJi9G1SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Second Substitute House Bill 1516, which would require the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) to study insurance coverage options for permanently affordable homeownership units, received bipartisan testimony Wednesday before the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee.

John Kim, committee staff, summarized the bill and its background, saying the measure responds to insurer market conditions that stakeholders have said limit condominium production and add cost for permanently affordable homeownership models. \"The bill before you requires the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study regarding how projects that develop new, permanently affordable homeownership units may use different insurance coverage options and approaches to reduce costs relating to condo construction defect liability while maintaining commensurate access to insurance coverage,\" Kim said. The OIC may contract with actuaries or other consultants and must report to the legislature by December 2026; the OIC estimated $368,000 in expenditures from its regulatory account for the current biennium.

Sponsor Representative Natasha Hill (Third Legislative District, Spokane) said the study is intended to identify options to reduce insurance-related barriers that nonprofit and government developers face when producing permanently affordable ownership units — including deed-restricted condominiums, community land trusts, and limited-equity cooperatives — and that increasing condo production can expand pathways to affordable homeownership. \"If we can help our builders reduce the cost and find other options that will make insurance more affordable, they're going to be more willing to build,\" Hill said.

Representatives of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King and Kittitas Counties, the Housing Development Consortium, and the Northwest Cooperative Development Center testified in support. Rory Payne Donovan of the OIC said the office is prepared to conduct the study and appreciated authorization to contract for consultants and request insurer data. Ryan Donahue of Habitat for Humanity said nonprofit developers face upfront premium costs approaching or exceeding project budgets in some cases and that the study could identify solutions while preserving consumer protections and building standards.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about scope — whether the study would examine homeowners association (HOA) fee impacts and whether the study's scope includes townhouses or is limited to condominium-permitted products — and whether insurance is indeed a main driver of stalled condo construction. OIC and witnesses said the study should clarify these points; staff said the bill uses the statutory definition of permanently affordable homeownership (sponsored by nonprofits or government entities, subject to resale/refinancing restrictions and a ground lease or deed restriction).

The bill passed the House 58–38 and the OIC fiscal note was discussed. No committee vote occurred during the hearing.

Ending note: witnesses and sponsors said the study is an early, necessary step to identify insurance-market changes that could unlock more permanently affordable ownership units without removing consumer protections.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Business, Financial Services & Trade - 3/19/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Second Substitute House Bill 1516 would direct the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to study insurance options for permanently affordable homeownership units and submit a report with recommendations to the legislature by December 2026.","taxTitle","Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade, Senate, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20500,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120659,"Committee considers bill giving sellers appraisal and short cancellation rights in 'solicited' off-market home sales",685,2806000,3491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003&start=2806&end=3491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003/thumbnail_2806000.jpg","/articles/6120659/Washington/Committee-considers-bill-giving-sellers-appraisal-and-short-cancellation-rights-in-solicited-off-market-home-sales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120659-220cc8cbfa2bf68b8cf03263002dfd08/orig.mp4?Expires=1770695601&Signature=nMeDBM4uY~~PwlG7IQTyROhUHI6slIrYcIHia6A7y9t7Pxev-eczRBzWSPP~sfjyjVu2nMhGSLt7UjRbyd479OqwZ4qbAXQUXGgn47HTcQulZlUaeb-PfXdBvMP8twGVlG0KxWgyreQVrQV84KTEOaLc4reVGyWxtWKcFmqy5ybCej0VDvQ3ffA6oAvB85WHKHji7hN09OFnDihqgzizy1rG9Hm8PY-WbUrTvjA2blP2vcucQbolH8pNzWzDXsDVCNnV21wYNgXx6mRVoloP7PCWAlhrr8-KN0HR1nIz9A9QziyRV15XQUHh-9WgVh9S8QbqBuzVAhyGE9VPSlSlew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee held a public hearing Wednesday on substitute House Bill 1081, which would create appraisal and short-cancellation rights for owners approached in off-market solicitations to buy private property.

Committee staff briefed senators that the bill applies to transactions in which a buyer, or someone representing a buyer, actively solicits an owner of real property that is not publicly listed for sale. \"Owners of real property that enter into a purchase contract with a buyer or someone representing a buyer that actively solicits the real estate…are provided the right of an appraisal,\" staff said. Under the bill text, when an owner exercises the right to an appraisal, the owner may select a licensed appraiser at the buyer’s expense; the appraisal must be ordered within three days after execution of the purchase contract. After receiving the appraisal, the owner has four days to cancel the contract without penalty. Owners who decline to take an appraisal have a ten-day cancellation window.

Substitute HB 1081 does not apply when a real estate broker is involved and does not specifically reference foreclosure transactions, committee staff said. Violations of the buyer’s obligations under the bill would be treated as violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act and enforceable as such.

Representative Brandy Donaghy (40th Legislative District), who described herself as the bill’s sponsor, said the bill is aimed at predatory purchasers who approach homeowners—often elderly or otherwise less experienced in real-estate transactions—and seek to buy homes at steep discounts. \"This bill is designed to ensure that when that is done, it's not done in a predatory manner,\" Donaghy told the committee. She said the bill is intended to protect sellers who are not represented by brokers and who might be targeted by companies that buy homes to flip.

Senators asked clarifying questions about scope and mechanics. Senator McKeown and others asked whether the bill applies to unsolicited phone calls and to buyers making direct offers; staff confirmed it applies when a buyer solicits the owner. Senator Dozier asked who pays for the appraisal; staff and the sponsor confirmed the buyer pays. Senator Wilson asked whether the owner or buyer retains the appraisal product; staff said the owner orders the appraisal and would receive it because the owner selects the appraiser.

Committee staff noted the bill passed the House by a vote of 56 to 39. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing.

Ending note: supporters framed the bill as a narrow consumer-protection measure limited to off-market solicitations and not changing broker-regulated transactions; committee members requested clarifying language and asked staff to confirm exclusions such as foreclosure sales.","Substitute House Bill 1081 would grant owners of solicited real estate—the off-market sellers approached directly by buyers—the right to have an appraisal paid for by the buyer, to choose the appraiser, and short cancellation windows; supporters say it protects vulnerable sellers and opponents raised implementation questions; no vote was taken.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120664,"Senate committee hears cleanup bill from Horse Racing Commission to modernize state racing rules",843,3316000,4159000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003&start=3316&end=4159","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003/thumbnail_3316000.jpg","/articles/6120664/Washington/Senate-committee-hears-cleanup-bill-from-Horse-Racing-Commission-to-modernize-state-racing-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120664-dced1026c08012f85d9fc3a84132314e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770695601&Signature=TwKewdM1H~YqRNTmlCG-sFYK3Xn5EpfMsyWFaT9OLZA7vl5D-xSHDF0uJCR6SAv5xkzykTRPUSAmDn~CRI3JZqoKh1nLkxi5bcomeHW3CBNzoLDZgZvazVCZ6twBrUW9SkAirrLFW4WBcTD14rSqRSKJIuwi6M7HlV-MyC6ibLXm2Oi-BONyq9S4oj9sbfNuN50Q6wIudPze9AC7UsOibMivYw2xFXXMN~MlL2ZxIazHpNFfPrb3Do--yAk0FPGjE07gwdXwcYFgiUQrt--8uh3WebGLY6N0vQvdmoxL4hTjcyrnldBImHFGWxl3mR2WpbKDosXjeErYHemfkju8qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1327, a commission-requested update to Washington law governing horse racing, received a public hearing Wednesday before the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee.

The bill, introduced to the committee by committee staff (Clint McCarthy), would change governance and wagering rules for the Washington State Horse Racing Commission and adjust fee and distribution provisions for licensees. \"The bill before you is House Bill 1327 concerning horse racing. This agency requests legislation from the Washington State Horse Racing Commission,\" said Clint McCarthy, staff to the committee.

The measure would remove a requirement that one of the three commissioners be a resource breeder; bar commission employees from simultaneously working at racetracks they oversee; permit commissioners to wager on simulcast races held outside Washington if those races are not under the commission’s jurisdiction; and authorize the commission to award grants to equestrian nonprofits or youth equine organizations from excess funds at the end of the fiscal biennium. It would also repeal a long-standing provision authorizing the commission to pay one-half of one percent collected from new licensees to reimburse capital costs for new racetrack construction.

The bill would change race-day and pari-mutuel rules. Current statute caps live races per race day at 11; HB 1327 would remove that upper limit and requires licensees to pay a $500 fee for each race regardless of annual gross receipts. The bill revises thresholds and percentages for licensee withholdings: the threshold for paying 1.3% of daily gross receipts annually would fall from $50 million to $20 million, and licensees with daily gross receipts under $20 million would pay 1.8% of daily gross receipts. The allowable retention percentage from pari-mutuel receipts would be adjusted in tiers and the statute’s conditions for disseminating imported simulcast race card programs would be relaxed for licensed class 1 associations (for example, Emerald Downs). HB 1327 would increase the commission’s annual fund available for equine industry development and facility upgrades from $300,000 to $500,000. A fiscal note is available.

Representative Dan Schmick, who described his experience on the Horse Racing Commission while introducing the bill to senators, urged support and said the changes “update the statute to reflect the current state of horse racing.”

Representatives of the Horse Racing Commission testified in support. \"This bill is our regulatory cleanup bill,\" said Amanda Benton, executive secretary of the Washington State Horse Racing Commission. Doug Moore, chair of the Horse Racing Commission, told the committee the measure will help modernize practice after several decades without a comprehensive statutory update.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about how the bill differs from the Senate version (staff said language is the same as Senate Bill 5563 previously introduced) and about specific deleted or changed provisions, including the revenue-sharing language tied to new track construction that dates back to Emerald Downs' financing.

No final action or vote occurred; the committee paused consideration and moved to public testimony and other bills on the agenda.

Ending note: staff and commission witnesses said the bill is intended to streamline outdated distinctions that reflect an era with multiple active tracks and to align statute with current industry conditions.

","A public hearing was held on House Bill 1327, a commission-requested cleanup and modernization package for horse racing that would change commission governance, wagering rules and fee structures; the Horse Racing Commission and industry representatives testified in support and no vote was taken.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6120649,"Committee hears bill to streamline rate filings for experience-rated group disability insurance",0,4069000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003&start=4069&end=4069","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2706075-c30e01f1abae2b50f75f86c7a2648003/thumbnail_4069000.jpg","/articles/6120649/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-streamline-rate-filings-for-experience-rated-group-disability-insurance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6120649-592156b2cad8145c07bdeeaa7859b129/orig.mp4?Expires=1770695601&Signature=egGlfLurWmwyR~FiCPtZy27xfkmKHpUPxZGUCmWADRkRYtE9wvOiL7iQvXdgl6uMi1Gb6VJficFGNM5U0jjF6PUJxJhEF-OHL4hRsHMiILFmxitQQR0auCB~p5~c~PSKZWHfrnGtyje83U-SRwUPgRbYX91XDDO1c~MCK5C9jzYAV0ytGaZHvLQt0XPcGYWspDxHpkzFMxoQHjE7aCpCeKSzNhUO2MIV4QebTmxqz7ljzo4RnmlVQrkKG2Cj~se9i2cY7efAkTQhelMOUliZpkGuLJCPxM6e~i0qTeHSlTXwXdJ0XvZgKf1Ft1imDUIUVAooFSEtzDjsNC9keU69SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House Bill 1230, a measure to clarify and streamline rate-filing procedures for experience-rated group disability income insurers, was the subject of a public hearing Wednesday before the Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade Committee.

Committee staff (John Kim) briefed senators that the bill aligns the statutory filing process so insurers that develop rates based on a single group's experience can submit a single filing with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) that includes rating formulas and sufficient detail for the OIC to replicate rates for each experience-rated group. The companion bill, Senate Bill 5141, previously passed the Senate, and the House version passed the House 97–0.

John Mangan, regional vice president for state relations at the American Council of Life Insurers, testified in support and said the change would reduce administrative burden without removing OIC oversight. \"This streamlining of our ability to file experience rates for groups who want disability coverage is very important and has good benefits for Washington's employers…It essentially allows us to provide a tailored specific premium rate to groups that really matches their demographics and their history,\" Mangan said.

Committee members heard that the bill maintains OIC’s authority to review and replicate filings. Stakeholders told senators the change should improve access to affordable coverage for employers by allowing insurers to target rates to group experience. No committee vote was taken during the hearing.

Ending note: supporters said the bill preserves regulatory oversight while reducing duplicative filings, which insurers contend will broaden access and competitiveness for group disability coverage.","House Bill 1230 would allow insurers to submit single filings for experience-rated group disability income plans (instead of separate filings per group) while providing the Office of the Insurance Commissioner enough detail to replicate rates; insurers testified in support and no vote was recorded.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee hears bill directing Insurance Commissioner study on insurance options for permanently affordable homeownership

Committee considers bill giving sellers appraisal and short cancellation rights in 'solicited' off-market home sales

Senate committee hears cleanup bill from Horse Racing Commission to modernize state racing rules

Committee hears bill to streamline rate filings for experience-rated group disability insurance