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Bill to let renters install portable cooling devices framed as health, not housing, bill
Summary
Sen. Vandana Slatter told the committee SB 6,200 allows tenants to install portable cooling devices with safety guardrails (inspections, notice, electrical and egress exceptions); supporters emphasized the 2021 heat dome’s toll and urged action; landlords asked for technical changes on window units, insurance and evaporative coolers.
Senator Vandana Slatter (48th Legislative District) told the House Housing Committee on Feb. 23 that Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6,200 is a narrowly targeted housing and public‑health measure to allow tenants to install portable cooling devices during extreme heat events without requiring landlords to install air conditioning. "This bill is basically a housing and health bill," Slatter said, invoking the 2021 heat dome that led to hundreds of heat‑related medical visits and dozens of deaths in Washington.
Staff summarized the measure: tenants under both the Residential Landlord‑Tenant Act (RLTA) and the Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord‑Tenant Act (MHLTA) could not be prohibited from installing portable cooling devices except where the dwelling already has a permanently installed, working heat pump; where installation would violate building codes or federal law; where the device would violate the manufacturer's safety guidelines; or…
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