Housing Committee advances multiple bills, including density-bonus change for religious properties and changes to notice service rules
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Summary
The Senate Housing Committee moved several bills forward: second substitute House Bill 1859 (density bonuses on religious properties) and substitute bill 2354 (common-interest community rules) among others were recommended for further consideration or committees; all motions passed by voice vote and were recorded subject to signatures or referral.
At its final Housing Committee executive session, members took do-pass or referral votes on a suite of bills affecting housing policy and related administration.
Key outcomes
- Second substitute House Bill 1859: Committee staff said the bill would lower the affordable-unit threshold to qualify for a density bonus on property owned by religious organizations and require certain cities and counties to adopt policies to implement the bonus. The House passed the bill 94-1; after brief discussion Senator Alvarado moved a do-pass recommendation and the committee approved the motion by voice vote (bill passed subject to signatures).
- Substitute House Bill 2354: Staff described changes to how common-interest community governing documents may address electric-vehicle chargers and heat pumps and an exemption for some middle-housing CICs from reserve-study requirements; the House passed it 92-0. The committee moved the bill to the Rules Committee with a do-pass recommendation by voice vote.
- Substitute House Bill 2452: The bill aligns service of rent-increase notices under the Manufactured Home Landlord-Tenant Act (MHLTA) with other MHLTA notices rather than unlawful-detainer notice service. The committee moved the bill to the Rules Committee with a do-pass recommendation by voice vote.
- Second substitute House Bill 2590: The bill exempts limited-equity cooperatives from parts of the Washington uniform common interest ownership act (transcript reference). The House vote was 67-30; the committee moved the bill to the Ways and Means Committee by voice vote.
- House Bill 2664: Staff said the bill would remove the requirement that mailed unlawful-detainer notices be delivered by certified mail. The committee moved the bill to the Rules Committee with a do-pass recommendation by voice vote.
All motions were taken by voice vote; the transcript does not record roll-call tallies or individual member votes. Several senators expressed support while noting concerns about local control, small-city capacity, and implementation details. The committee adjourned after thanking staff and members.
Actions recorded in committee: each bill above was moved and approved in committee; outcomes are as stated (do-pass recommendations or referral to Ways and Means) and are subject to formal signature or further floor action.