Some of the 18 housing bills Republicans have backed are moving through the legislative process. Others will likely be dead by the end of this week when the first major deadline for bills to pass out of committee comes. 

Bills to allow backyard cottages in new areas, to expand where developers can receive tax breaks for building apartments and to let property owners split their plots are all making their way through the legislative process. 

The report, led by experts from Washington State University and the University of Washington, described the citizen-led commission as “dysfunctional” and in need of reform. State lawmakers are discussing the effectiveness of the commission’s structure and what can be done to improve it – including potentially dissolving the citizen-led panel altogether. 

Washington is on track to have more eviction filings this year than any other year on record.

Republicans liked a lot of what they heard. They delivered more standing ovations than Democrats. Many Democrats didn’t hide their pique with Ferguson’s reform-minded message, which comes as the party has controlled the governor’s office and the Legislature for more than seven years. 

The bill includes a 7% cap on yearly rent increases for existing tenants, with some exceptions, including buildings operated by nonprofits and residential construction that is 10 years old or less. It also requires landlords to give 180 days notice before an increase of 3% or more and limits some move-in and deposit fees. 

A state-run housing program that has failed to deliver on its promise of providing longtime tenants a chance to buy their homes recently came under fire from Washington lawmakers.

An initiative to make Washington’s long-term care program, and paying the tax that funds it, voluntary for state residents failed at the polls.

The State Building Code Council is asking the Legislature to change a law passed earlier this year that limits the ability to change wildfire-related codes.

A new state law will allow local governments to offer a tax deferral to developers who turn office space into affordable housing.