Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Housing Committee
HB 2008
Brief Description: Creating a task force on housing cost driver analysis.
Sponsors: Representatives Klicker, Peterson, Leavitt, Connors, Ramel, Robertson, Low, Gregerson, Ramos, Eslick, Bateman and Bronoske.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Creates a task force to ascertain the primary factors driving housing costs in Washington.
Hearing Date: 1/8/24
Staff:

Austin Borcherding (360) 786-7094.
Background:

In 1993 the Washington Housing Policy Act was passed.  At the time, no comprehensive statewide housing policy existed, and the stated purpose of the act was to provide policy direction to the public and private sectors seeking to meet the housing needs of state residents.  Since then, issues surrounding housing have remained a topic of discussion in the realm of public policy on both the state and national levels, and Washington expends substantial resources each year in pursuit of increasing the availability of housing for its residents. 
Summary of Bill:

A legislative task force is convened to assess the primary factors driving housing costs in Washington.


The members of the task force are appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives as follows:

  • The President of the Senate must appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the Senate.
  • The Speaker of the House of Representatives must appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the House of Representatives.
  • The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives jointly must appoint the following members:
    • two economists with expertise in the economic disciplines most relevant to the issue of housing cost drivers;
    • one member representing non-profit housing developers;
    • one member representing for-profit housing developers;
    • one member representing builders;
    • one member representing labor;
    • one member representing realtors;
    • one member representing cities;
    • one member representing counties;
    • one member representing tenants;
    • one member representing landlords;
    • one member representing home mortgage lenders;
    • one member representing multifamily lenders;
    • one member representing utility providers;
    • one member representing public housing authorities; and
    • one member representing the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

 

The task force is directed to research, analyze, and determine the primary cost drivers for housing in Washington.  In fulfilling its duties, the task force is to consider information specifically from the Affordable Housing Advisory Board as well other sources of relevant interest and expertise.

 

The task force must report its findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2025.

 

Staff support for the task force must be provided by the Department of Commerce.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 3, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.