issue area reports | transportation, housing and land use
HB 1438 permit approvals
Failed / AWB Supported sponsor: Rep. April Connors, R-Kennewick
This bill would have required automatic approval of project permits after 120 days if local government failed to meet deadlines for design review. This would have helped clear permit bottlenecks. The bill had a hearing in the House Local Government Committee but did not advance.
SB 5609 archaeology standards
Failed / AWB Opposed sponsor: Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent
This bill would have required the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation to develop standards for local governments to follow. It contained no limitations for drafting model legislation and may have impacted local building projects. The bill did not have a hearing.
SB 5576 short-term rental tax
Failed / AWB Opposed sponsor: Sen. Liz Lovelett, D-Anacortes
This bill would have allowed cities and counties to impose a 4 % short-term rental( STR) tax to fund affordable housing. That could have had a major impact on the STR market, which generates $ 4.7 billion in economic activity in the state. The bill passed the Senate 27-21 but stalled in the House.
2026
Tuesday, January 27th, 2026
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Co-presented by: special edition 2025 31