Commerce committee advances multiple housing and leasing bills, sends several to full committee

The Commerce Committee met to consider a package of housing, leasing and permitting bills and took action on six measures, sending several to the full committee for final consideration.

Committee members recommended that House Bill 309 (making electronic rent payments optional) and a group of housing bills — including legislation on manufactured housing and accessory dwelling units — move forward, approved an amendment and recommendation on a building‑permit bill, and re‑referred one large housing proposal for more study. A separate bill on state agency leases was left without a committee recommendation so county officials can propose narrower language.

House Bill 309: electronic rent payments The committee recommended that House Bill 309, which would make electronic rent payments optional for tenants, ought to pass and be forwarded to the full committee. Discussion focused on tenants who lack access to banking services and on older residents who prefer paper checks. Committee members said landlords who testified at the hearing did not generally oppose the change; members also noted that an amendment may be filed at the full committee to address a…