Builders from across Washington will travel to Olympia for BIAW’s annual Legislative Action Day—a powerful opportunity to advocate for policies that support the home-building industry's work to build homes families can afford.

BIAW members will meet with lawmakers to discuss key legislative priorities, including tackling the state’s housing crisis, reducing unnecessary regulations, and pushing for policies that encourage housing affordability and availability. These face-to-face conversations help shape laws that directly impact our businesses and communities.

Why Legislative Action Day Matters

‍Washington continues to struggle with a severe housing shortage, driving up home prices and making it harder for families to find affordable housing. BIAW is working to advance policies that will increase housing supply, streamline permitting, and lower costs for builders and homebuyers alike.

In addition to housing, we’re also fighting against excessive regulations that slow down construction, increase costs, and make it harder for small businesses to thrive. By coming together as an industry, we can push for commonsense solutions that benefit both builders and homeowners.

2025 Builder Bills: BIAW’s Legislative Priorities

This week, builders and associates will meet directly with their legislators to discuss the good and bad bills for our industry.

✅ SB 5470 – Detached ADUs
Everyone deserves housing options.

• We need more housing—everywhere. Allowing detached ADUs with appropriate regulatory compliance helps address this need.
• This bill provides a limited approach to allow one ADU per lot outside of UGAs.
• Rural communities deserve affordable housing options, too!

✅ HB 1096 & SB 5559 – Lot Splitting
More lots = More homes.

• Allow property owners to split lots into new buildable parcels, increasing the housing supply.
• Lot splitting makes entry-level homeownership more accessible by addressing the costliest aspect of homebuilding: land.
• One of the fastest ways to create more housing!

✅ SB 5729 – Stamps of Approval
Let professionals be professionals.

• Deem permit applications complete upon submission when prepared by licensed and insured design professionals.
• Reduces permitting delays while maintaining compliance checks for all regulatory requirements.
• Helps local governments use resources more efficiently, saving time and money.

✅ HB 1403 – Condo Reform
Condos should be a first-time buyer option.

• Reduce liability for builders while protecting condo owners with a warranty system similar to single-family homes.
• Establish a clear path to cure defects and allow for settlements.
• Make new condos affordable for first-time buyers and create homeownership opportunities.

✅ SB 5719 – Hearing Examiners
Get politics out of projects.

• Keep land-use decisions off crowded council agendas and move to a more predictable hearing examiner process.
• Insulate elected leaders from political risk while ensuring fair project reviews.
• Make housing approvals easier and less political—saving time and money.

❌ HB 1213 – PFML Expansion
Deal or no deal? No deal!

• The current Paid Family Medical Leave program balances employee protections with business stability.
• Expanding it would burden small businesses, where 50% of BIAW members have five or fewer employees.
• The fund is already struggling—this expansion could bankrupt it.

❌ HB 1217 – Rent “Stabilization”
Rent control by any other name.

• Every economist agrees: rent control doesn’t work.
• Rent caps lead to deferred maintenance, unhealthy rental units, and fewer housing options.
• Washington needs over 1 million new homes in the next 20 years—we can’t afford to lose supply.

❌ HB 1254 – Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
Bad policy before planning.

• The wildfire risk map doesn’t even exist yet—how can we enforce new regulations?
• WUI is mostly in UGAs, which reduces planned housing supply.
• Don’t force unnecessary material costs on builders or require tree removal within 30 feet of homes.
• WA already adopts parts of WUI standards—let’s keep land-use decisions local.

❌ HB 1303 – SEPA Expansion
When government becomes the ultimate NIMBY.

• SEPA already protects communities and the environment—don’t overcomplicate it.
• This will slow housing development and economic growth, making it harder for businesses to expand.
• People deserve to live near where they work—this bill makes that harder.

❌ SB 5360 – Environmental Crimes
Don’t criminalize builders for regulatory missteps.

• Oppose excessive felony charges for minor infractions with no environmental or human harm.
• Focus on actual large-scale polluters, not small businesses and builders.
• Builders should not face criminal prosecution for unknowingly violating unclear regulations.

Washington Center for Housing Studies
For more research and policy insights on housing affordability, visit:
www.HOUSINGSTUDIES.BIAW.com

Your Voice Matters

‍Legislative Action Day is about more than just politics—it’s about protecting our industry, our businesses, and the ability of Washingtonians to achieve the dream of homeownership. When builders unite, we make a difference for everyone.

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