1015-S AMH ENGE ALLI 408

SHB 1015 - H AMD 575

By Representative Engell

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. A new section is added to chapter 43.21F RCW to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that there are free options for people who want to make their homes more energy efficient. The United States department of energy has established a do-it-yourself home energy assessment process for property owners, and professional home energy assessments exist for property owners who want to undertake energy improvements for their property and receive a tax deduction. Requiring a property owner who wishes to sell his or her property to have a professional home energy assessment can be a waste of time and money for both the home energy assessor and the seller if the seller has limited resources. Washington is facing a housing affordability crisis. A local policy requiring a home energy assessment when there are no home energy assessors certified in Washington is likely to dramatically increase the time and cost associated with the sale of a home.

(2) Consistent with the findings in subsection (1) of this section, no state agency, county, city, or town may require a home energy assessment prior to or as part of the sale or transfer of property." 

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