Legislation
Back to News Center House Bill 1220 requires cities to plan to accommodate housing that is affordable to households that typically need government subsidies to obtain housing. It allows cities to collect a small sales tax to help fund those efforts. Recently, state law was amended to provide cities with…
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Back to News Center On July 1, Washington state launched a new program and funding source called the Covenant Homeownership Program. Created by the state legislature in 2023 through the Covenant Homeownership Act (HB 1474), the landmark legislation helps low-income homebuyers statewide whose families have been harmed by racial discrimination…
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Back to News Center “We need to take bold action to alleviate housing supply issues, ultimately helping affordability,” said Gina Madeya, 2024 vice president of governmental and public affairs for Seattle King County Realtors® (SKCR) in opening remarks at the association’s 30th Annual Housing Issues Briefing. Speaking before an audience…
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Back to News Center Issues & Impacts is a quarterly publication produced by Seattle King County REALTORS® to inform members about current issues and successes within the Government Affairs Department. IN THIS ISSUE: REALTOR®-Supported Candidate Appointed to Seattle City Council Seattle City Council Launches the 2024 Budget Process New Kirkland…
Read More Back to News Center This year, counties and cities throughout the state are required to update their comprehensive plans. For housing issues, comprehensive plans set the policies upon which zoning and development regulations are established. Seattle King County REALTORS® (SKCR) is advocating strongly for policies that increase housing supply and…
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Back to News Center Issues & Impacts is a quarterly publication produced by Seattle King County REALTORS® to inform members about current issues and successes within the Government Affairs Department. IN THIS ISSUE: Major Victory in Seattle City Council Races Seattle Voters Pass Housing Levy Maple Valley Passes Property Tax…
Read More Back to News Center Voters in the City of Maple Valley have approved a “Levy Lid Lift” to increase property taxes to pay for police services. The November ballot measure, which was approved by 66% of voters, restricts the use of $2.2 million in additional funding for police services only.…
Read More Back to News Center SKCR continues to work with the City of Woodinville Planning Commission as it contemplates amendments to its sign code that would affect real estate signage. Our goal is to guard against any changes that would constrain the use of on-premises for sale signs and off-premises open…
Read More Back to News Center Covington is among the cities working to bring its development regulations, specifically its permitting processes, into compliance with new mandates on cities and counties in Senate Bill 5290, which the legislature passed during the 2023 session. The bill requires that: Within 20 business days of a…
Read More Back to News Center The 2023 legislative session in Olympia was dubbed the “Housing Session” based on numerous bills passed by legislators to increase the supply of housing throughout the state. Now, cities are working to implement the new legislative mandates, with early action focused on Accessory Dwelling Units and…
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