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WashingtonSB 51482025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Ensuring compliance with the housing element requirements of the growth management act.

Sponsored By: Jessica Bateman (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

More affordable homes in noncompliant cities

Each year, the state can target up to 10 cities or counties for review, focusing on places that did not plan for need or have very low or high‑end housing production. If a place is found out of compliance, it has 120 days to fix its plan and rules. If still noncompliant, it cannot deny affordable or moderate‑income housing, or add conditions that make it unbuildable or unaffordable, unless one of four narrow exceptions applies. Projects in these places must record at least 25 years of affordability and meet one test: 20% of units affordable; or 50% workforce housing (rent at or below 80% of county median income, ownership at or below 100%); or all units moderate‑income. Jurisdictions must audit projects for compliance. The law defines workforce housing as housing that costs no more than 30% of income, with the income bands listed above. A place is noncompliant if it fails to fix issues in 120 days or the state or appeal board finds its plan or rules do not meet the law.

More state aid for compliant cities

Cities and counties that show substantial progress on housing‑plan deadlines are eligible for state grants, loans, pledges, or guarantees. If a jurisdiction applies to the Department on time, it counts as making progress and stays eligible until a final decision finds noncompliance.

Faster housing updates, fewer appeals

Cities and counties may update housing elements more than once a year when needed to get a compliance decision. The Department will set five‑year progress reporting rules, including measures on affordability, permit timelines, and greenhouse gas and travel reductions. Nonproject actions to carry out housing‑element requirements are not subject to SEPA appeals, which speeds adoption but limits appeal routes.

State must approve local housing rules

The Department of Commerce now reviews city and county housing plans and rules before they take effect. Jurisdictions must give 120 days’ notice before seeking approval and file within 10 days after final local action. The Department issues a written decision in 90 days, and plans and rules start only after that decision. Within six months, the Department publishes minimum objective compliance standards and keeps a public list of each jurisdiction’s status. Decisions can be appealed to the Growth Management Hearings Board within 60 days, and the Board reviews only listed state laws. The Department can make rules to run this program, and most funding programs cannot force submission unless the jurisdiction is in a targeted review.

State defends growth plans in court

The Department and Attorney General represent Washington’s interests before federal and interstate agencies and in court on plans and rules approved under this law. They work to preserve state planning policies when conflicts arise.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jessica Bateman

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Derek Stanford

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marko Liias

    Democratic • Senate

  • T'wina Nobles

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 22

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 48 • No: 1

House vote • 4/14/2025

Final Passage as Amended by the House

Yes: 78 • No: 19 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 46 • No: 2 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 7/27/2025.

    5/13/2025Senate

  2. Chapter 269, 2025 Laws.

    5/13/2025Senate

  3. Governor signed.

    5/13/2025legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    4/23/2025legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    4/22/2025legislature

  6. President signed.

    4/19/2025legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. Senate concurred in House amendments.

    4/17/2025House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 78; nays, 19; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    4/14/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    4/14/2025Senate

  11. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    4/14/2025Senate

  12. Committee amendment not adopted.

    4/14/2025Senate

  13. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

    4/11/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    4/8/2025Senate

  15. Minority; without recommendation.

    4/7/2025Senate

  16. Minority; do not pass.

    4/7/2025Senate

  17. APP - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    4/7/2025Senate

  18. APP - Executive action taken by committee.

    4/7/2025Senate

  19. Referred to Appropriations.

    4/1/2025Senate

  20. HOUS - Executive action taken by committee.

    3/26/2025Senate

  21. Minority; without recommendation.

    3/26/2025Senate

  22. HOUS - Majority; do pass.

    3/26/2025Senate

  23. First reading, referred to Housing.

    3/13/2025Senate

  24. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 2; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    3/11/2025Senate

  25. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    3/11/2025Senate

Bill Text

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