Panel reviews bill to require landlords to disclose flood‑risk information to new tenants

The House Housing Committee heard Senate Bill 62 37 on Feb. 18, a bill that would require landlords to disclose to tenants whether a rental property is in a special flood hazard area or area of potential flooding, point to county sources for flood‑risk information and note that a landlord’s insurance typically does not cover tenants’ personal property.

Staff to the committee summarized the proposal, saying the disclosure requirement would apply to tenancies covered by the Residential Landlord‑Tenant Act for leases entered into after Dec. 31, 2026. The staff summary said the rule is a limited disclosure: it signals flood risk and the availability of county information and advises tenants that they should consider purchasing flood or renters insurance because a landlord’s policy does not cover tenant belongings.

Crystal Perkey of the Washington Multifamily Housing Association testified the organization is neutral on the substitute as drafted. Perkey said housing providers already manage lengthy leases and welcomed the sponsor’s work to narrow the disclosure so it is operationally manageable; she also noted the bill’s removal of a prior requirement that providers recommend insurance was appropriate because providers are not licensed insurance brokers.

The committee closed the hearing on SB 62 37 with no vote recorded and adjourned for the day.