Governmental Affairs Radar
April 12, 2023
WashLawmakers pass a slew of housing bills, REALTOR® Legislation

Lawmakers have now passed a measure to Improve Consumer Protections in Real Estate Agency Law SB 5191

READ THE LATEST IN OUR LEGISLATIVE SESSION MONITOR
Judge rules in favor of controversial Spokane Redistricting map
(Spokane) Spokane Superior Court Judge Tony Hazel has ruled that the controversial redistricting map for the City of Spokane will proceed as planned.

Attorney Mark Lamb, arguing on behalf of four voters in District 3, presented evidence that Spokane City Council member Zach Zappone knew very well the map he was presenting would favor him personally by adding Democrat voters to his district.

In a series of text messages and emails, Zappone celebrated openly with supporters and even Democratic party advisors FUSE about the advantages of having more democrats in a district, thereby giving his party the advantage in future elections.
The Redistricting Board of volunteers, made up of two Republicans and two Democrats had submitted a completely different map saying it had the broadest support among voters, and would have caused the least amount of disruption.

Instead, the Spokane City council voted along party lines to set that map aside and adopt the map presented by Councilmember Zappone.
 
Judge Hazel agreed, saying “Do I believe that Zappone knew the political consequences of the Map? Yes, I do.”

But in final his ruling, Hazel says the evidence was not clear that Zappone created his map initially to favor his party, ruling against an injunction to halt the introduction of the Zappone map.

Additionally, Hazel did admonish the Spokane council by ruling openly that “council members themselves should not be submitting redistricting maps.”
 
No word yet, if the group of voters who filed this motion will appeal.
WR Call to Action appears to have worked!

REET 3 tax appears to stall
A Call to Action by Washington REALTORS appears to have had an effect on this controversial legislation.

At last check, the bill appears to have stalled. Officially titled HB 1628 - the meaure would have increased the REET on all sales over $5 Million from 3% to 4% of the sales price regardless of the category.

The measure would have also added a local REET 3 option that would allow all local jurisdictions to increase REET on all transactions by .25% with a vote of the council.
Washington REALTORS® acknowledges the need for more affordable housing and has supported a number of funding solutions, but the bottom line is that you don’t fund affordable housing by making housing more expensive.
Watch WR's 30-second video here:

Washington's Legislative session is set to officially end April 23, 2023.
Spokane Mayor declares April to be Fair Housing Month
The City of Spokane has joined with Spokane REALTORS® and local housing agencies in the celebration of the anniversary of the passage of the Fair Housing Act, which has set a national policy of fair housing for all.
Spokane City Council meeting, council member Zach Zappone read the Mayor's Proclamation and presented it to Spokane REALTORS® and 2023 President Tom Hormel.
WA Senate passes "missing middle" bill to increase housing density

House Bill 1110 is one of several proposals this year intended to ease an affordability crisis across Washington due to a statewide shortage.

The Washington Senate on Tuesday passed a key bill to increase housing density to stem a stark statewide shortage of homes that is expected to grow worse by the year
Lawmakers approved House Bill 1110 on a vote of 35-14, with seven Republicans joining most Democrats to approve the measure. The version that passed is less ambitious than earlier iterations, but broadly orders cities across the state to allow duplexes to be built. Among other things, the bill also broadly requires fourplexes to be built in cities with more than 75,000 people.
Running for Office
Have you ever considered running for office?

Spokane REALTORS® will be hosting private candidate coaching sessions.

Contact Governmental Affairs Director Darin Watkins for more information.
RPAC Update
Did you know that over 70% of Spokane REALTOR® members now support the REALTOR® Party Action Committee?

Your investment helps us support REALTOR® candidates who support us!