Essential information on each bill is below. For more details, click on the bill number – e.g., “SB 5000.” The new page will show the progress of the bill, videos of debate, and the link to send a comment to your legislator about the bill.
Bill Summary
Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, has introduced a bill to streamline state and local permitting processes for homes built from kits. Wilson says kit homes offer a practical way to build new housing quickly and affordably.
“They had the right idea a hundred years ago,” Wilson said. “In every prewar neighborhood of America, you can find homes built from kits sold by Sears and other manufacturers. These kit homes provided an affordable path to homeownership for millions of Americans. Kit homes can do it again, if we clear the way for them by eliminating cumbersome regulations and review processes designed for one-off stickbuilt homes.”
Senate Bill 5552 creates a new state building code category for kit homes. The State Building Code Council would be forbidden from adopting requirements costing more than $150 a square foot. The separate rules for kit homes would allow state and local governments to keep the rules they already have in place for stickbuilt homes.
Modern kit homes often include prefabricated walls, floors and roofs. They are distinguished from modular and other factory-built homes in that the bulk of the assembly occurs on-site. Models range in size from 60 square feet to more than 2,000. Wilson’s building code legislation applies to kit homes on the affordable end of the scale, less than 800 square feet. He said kit homes of that size offer an option for the ambitious do-it-yourselfer looking to build an ADU in the back yard, or for larger-scale developments.
Wilson said the legislation should help kit homes bypass requirements that can add considerably to the cost of a home. This year’s proposals are a refinement of a bill he introduced in 2023. “The bill died last year because of apathy from state agencies and the Inslee Administration,” Wilson said. “But our new governor is making housing a priority, and I don’t think state agencies will find it so easy to dismiss the idea.”
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Environment
Concerning timelines for growth management comprehensive plan and development regulation updates.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5558 amends several sections of the Washington State Growth Management Act to establish new timelines for the review and update of comprehensive land use plans and development regulations. It allows smaller cities and towns with populations under 500, not near larger cities, to opt out of full reviews if they notify the department of their intent to participate in a partial review. Other changes include new compliance deadlines, such as extending the review date for certain counties from June 30 to December 31, 2026, with subsequent reviews every ten years. The bill emphasizes public participation in the planning process and requires counties and cities to report on their implementation progress regarding comprehensive plans.
Additionally, the bill introduces clear and objective development regulations for design review processes, ensuring that these do not reduce density, height, bulk, or scale below what is generally applicable in the zone. It mandates that design reviews occur concurrently with project permit reviews and limits public meetings to one. The bill also specifies density requirements for cities based on population size, promoting affordable housing development while allowing flexibility in implementation. Notably, it removes the previous six-month compliance timeline, replacing it with a requirement for compliance to align with the next comprehensive plan update.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5559 aims to streamline the subdivision process within urban growth areas in Washington State by amending existing laws related to subdivisions and short subdivisions. Key changes include the introduction of new definitions such as “parent lot,” “unit lot,” and “unit lot subdivision,” which clarify the subdivision of residential lots into smaller unit lots. Additionally, the bill mandates that by June 30, 2026, all unit lot subdivisions must notify purchasers of their legal status. It also emphasizes the need for clear and objective design and development standards, which should be ascertainable by both permit applicants and public officials prior to submission.
Furthermore, the bill requires cities, towns, and counties to adopt regulations for the summary approval of short plats and short subdivisions, including provisions for unit lot subdivisions. These regulations must ensure that land in short subdivisions cannot be further divided within five years without filing a final plat, while also allowing for certain exceptions. The bill also stipulates that cities and towns must incorporate these new requirements into their development regulations by specific deadlines, ensuring that the subdivision process is more efficient and transparent while maintaining necessary public safety and environmental standards.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5567 aims to enhance secondary training opportunities for youth in natural resource and conservation careers in Washington State. It recognizes the importance of these jobs for climate resilience and rural economic vitality, while addressing the limited pathways available for young people aged 14 to 17 to enter these fields. The legislation intends to fund a career preparation program that builds on existing initiatives, such as the Youth in Sustainable Natural Resource Systems (YESS) programs, which focus on engaging historically marginalized youth and promoting positive mental and physical health outcomes through connections to nature.
To implement this program, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will select a qualified nonprofit partner with extensive experience in education and natural resources. The program will offer courses that meet state standards and provide students with opportunities to earn high school credits, dual credits with community colleges, or industry-recognized credentials. Additionally, the bill mandates regular reporting on the program’s activities, funding usage, and recommendations for its future. New sections outline the program’s structure, criteria for course offerings, and evaluation requirements.
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Education
Providing instruction on Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history in public schools.
Bill Summary
Senate Bill 5574 mandates the inclusion of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history in the public school curriculum in Washington State. It requires the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to adopt learning standards for this history by September 1, 2028. The standards will encompass the contributions and historical experiences of these communities, including their roles in civil rights, government, arts, and sciences. Starting in the 2029-30 school year, school districts will be required to provide instruction on these topics in grades K-12, aligning with the state social studies learning standards.
Additionally, the bill creates an advisory committee to assist in the implementation of these learning standards and to support the teaching of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander history. The committee will consist of representatives from various community organizations, state agencies, and educators, ensuring diverse and inclusive representation.
This is another ethnic studies mandate virtue signaling the intent to combat “racism”. The Board of Education didn’t add ethnic studies to graduation requirements because of the previous backlash from parents. Furthermore, local school boards should be deciding curriculums, not the legislature. Senate Bill 5574 is meant to do what the Board of Education couldn’t. Please oppose this bill.