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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)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Housing approval protections with affordability requirements

Cities and counties that fail targeted-review corrections or remain noncompliant after corrective review or appeal face housing approval limits. They cannot deny qualifying affordable or moderate-income projects or impose conditions that seriously harm affordability or project viability. Exceptions include a final Commerce compliance decision, specified legal requirements, protected critical or shoreline areas, and sites where housing is not permitted. Covered projects must have enforceable affordability restrictions lasting at least 25 years. They must provide at least 20% affordable units, at least 50% workforce units, or all moderate-income units. Workforce households must earn no more than 80% of county median income for rentals or 100% for ownership, adjusted for household size. Workforce housing costs, including utilities except telephone, cannot exceed 30% of the applicable household income. Local governments must audit these restrictions periodically or use another method to enforce them.

State must defend approved land-use policies

Commerce and the attorney general must represent Washington’s interests before federal agencies, interstate agencies, and courts. This duty covers plans, rules, activities, and uses approved under the law. When federal or interstate plans, activities, or procedures conflict with state policies, Washington must take reasonable available steps to preserve those policies.

Funding protections for local housing reviews

State agencies generally cannot require housing-review submissions as a condition for funding, program access, or priority. That protection does not apply to governments required to submit under targeted review. Cities and counties that apply on time count as making substantial progress toward housing compliance deadlines. This protects eligibility for specified infrastructure grants, loans, pledges, and financial guarantees. The protection lasts until Commerce or the Growth Management Hearings Board makes a final finding of noncompliance; no funding amount is specified.

Targeted housing checks for local governments

Commerce can select up to 10 cities or counties each calendar year for required housing reviews. Priorities include failing to plan for their share of countywide housing needs. They also include housing production below 50% of population-adjusted county or regional production. Another priority is production made up of more than 80% single-family homes aimed at higher-income households. Selected governments must submit their housing plans and covered rules. Governments with deficiencies have 120 days to amend and resubmit, unless Commerce agrees in writing to an extension.

Fewer environmental appeals of housing plans

Local actions that implement state housing-plan requirements are exempt from administrative and court appeals under Washington’s environmental review law. Covered actions include ordinances, development rules, amendments, and other actions that do not approve a specific project. This removes that appeal route for challengers while shielding those local housing actions. Commerce compliance decisions remain appealable to the Growth Management Hearings Board.

State review for local housing plans

Beginning July 27, 2025, cities and counties planning under Washington’s growth law can seek Commerce review of housing plans and rules. They must give 120 days’ written notice and apply within 10 days after final local action. Applications must include the adopted measure, a compliance explanation, and relevant public-meeting records. Review generally covers housing rules adopted or changed from that date; earlier rules qualify when changes are needed to implement housing requirements. Reviewed plans and rules cannot take effect until Commerce finds they meet state housing, planning, and environmental requirements. Commerce must decide within 90 days of a complete application, unless both sides agree to more time, and publish reviews and decisions. Commerce must publish minimum objective standards within six months of the effective date. Local governments can change housing plans more than once yearly when needed for a compliance decision.

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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