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WashingtonHB 15012025-2026 Regular SessionHouse

Concerning inquiries into association governance or operations by unit owners in common interest communities.

Sponsored By: Julia Reed (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Homeowners share costs for outside opinions

Beginning June 11, 2026, covered Washington associations must treat discretionary legal or outside professional opinions about owner inquiries as common expenses. They cannot specially charge those costs to any individual unit. This protects owners from being singled out, though the costs remain shared association expenses. The rule covers chapters 64.90, 64.32, 64.34, and 64.38 RCW. It expires January 1, 2028, under the last three chapters; chapter 64.90 has no stated expiration.

Homeowner inquiry disputes carry legal-cost risks

Beginning June 11, 2026, the winning party in a covered Washington owner-inquiry dispute is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs. This applies to court cases, mediation, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. Owners can recover these expenses when they win, but associations have the same right when they win. The rule covers chapters 64.90, 64.32, 64.34, and 64.38 RCW. It expires January 1, 2028, under the last three chapters; chapter 64.90 has no stated expiration.

Homeowners get answers, with response limits

Beginning June 11, 2026, covered Washington community associations must respond to owner inquiries about their governance or operations. The owner or authorized agent must send the inquiry in writing by certified mail. Within 30 days after receipt, the association must provide a recorded answer or explain why more time is reasonably needed. Extensions are allowed for review at the next regular board meeting; boards must meet at least monthly. A complex inquiry allows an extra 30 days. More time is also allowed to obtain a legal or outside opinion needed for an adequate answer. An answer can include facts, governing-document references, references to records available for inspection, current practices, or other reasonably available information. A professional opinion is not required unless reasonably necessary. Associations may set reasonable response rules, including answering only one inquiry per property in each 30-day period. Additional inquiries are addressed in later 30-day periods, but one inquiry can contain multiple questions. These rules preserve the other statutory protections cited in the law. They cover chapters 64.90, 64.32, 64.34, and 64.38 RCW. The new sections under the last three chapters expire January 1, 2028; the chapter 64.90 section has no stated expiration.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Julia Reed

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Beth Doglio

    Democratic • House

  • Darya Farivar

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Entenman

    Democratic • House

  • Debra Lekanoff

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Alvarado

    Democratic • House

  • Liz Berry

    Democratic • House

  • Mary Fosse

    Democratic • House

  • Mia Gregerson

    Democratic • House

  • Natasha Hill

    Democratic • House

  • Nicole Macri

    Democratic • House

  • Strom Peterson

    Democratic • House

  • Tarra Simmons

    Democratic • House

  • Timm Ormsby

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 88

House vote • 3/9/2026

Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 58 • No: 37 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 2/26/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Yes: 33 • No: 15 • Other: 1

House vote • 1/22/2026

3rd Reading & Final Passage

Yes: 55 • No: 36 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026.

    3/23/2026House

  2. Chapter 128, 2026 Laws.

    3/23/2026House

  3. Governor signed.

    3/23/2026legislature

  4. Delivered to Governor.

    3/12/2026legislature

  5. Speaker signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  6. President signed.

    3/11/2026legislature

  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 58; nays, 37; absent, 0; excused, 3.

    3/9/2026House

  8. House concurred in Senate amendments.

    3/9/2026House

  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 33; nays, 15; absent, 0; excused, 1.

    2/26/2026House

  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    2/26/2026House

  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.

    2/26/2026House

  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

    2/24/2026House

  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

    2/19/2026House

  14. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/18/2026House

  15. HSG - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).

    2/18/2026House

  16. First reading, referred to Housing.

    1/26/2026House

  17. Third reading, passed; yeas, 55; nays, 36; absent, 0; excused, 7.

    1/22/2026House

  18. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

    1/22/2026House

  19. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

    1/22/2026House

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

    1/19/2026House

  21. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

    1/12/2026House

  22. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

    2/14/2025House

  23. HOUS - Executive action taken by committee.

    2/11/2025House

  24. Minority; without recommendation.

    2/11/2025House

  25. Minority; do not pass.

    2/11/2025House

Bill Text

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