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Regional Housing Council adopts legislative priorities, marks RLTA an 'area of interest'

Thurston County Regional Housing Council · December 11, 2025

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Summary

Council adopted its legislative priorities for the coming session, retaining top funding priorities and designating changes to the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA) as an area of interest rather than a formal position; members struck language that could be read as authorizing members to represent the RHC to legislators in advance of formal positions.

Tom Webster, staff lead, presented the Regional Housing Council’s draft legislative priorities on Dec. 10 and asked members to adopt the package after several months of review. The top three priorities remained unchanged and focus on maintaining ERP (Encampment Resolution Program) and climate-resolution program funding, supporting conversions and the Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP). Two "areas of interest" were included: mold and moisture, and potential changes to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RLTA).

Council members expressed concern about a clause in the draft that stated "RHC members intend to engage with the local delegation." Several members said that wording could be read as tacit authorization for individual members to represent the RHC before the council had adopted positions. Members debated whether individual member engagement should be permitted only in a personal capacity. Following discussion, staff displayed an edited draft with the clause removed; a motion to adopt the legislative agenda with that clause struck out passed with one abstention.

Webster noted that the RLTA topic had prompted a written public comment (Ty Gondall) and suggested the council seek clarity about provider responsibilities under RLTA and related RCWs if draft legislation appears. The council did not take a formal position on any pending legislation; it recorded RLTA as an area of interest and asked staff to circulate materials and offer educational briefings as needed.

The motion passed and staff will circulate the final adopted priorities and follow up with any jurisdictional requests for meetings or educational sessions.