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Thirty Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counites (MBAKS) members and government affairs staff traveled to the State Capitol on Wednesday, January 24 to advocate for housing on our annual Hill Day.

This was MBAKS’ first in-person Hill Day in Olympia since 2020, having gone virtual the past three years. MBAKS met with 31 legislators whose districts include parts of King and Snohomish counties.

“Hill Day is an excellent opportunity engage in direct dialogue with state lawmakers on our issues and build meaningful connections,” said Dylan Sluder, MBAKS’ state government affairs manager.

Members highlighted our association’s support for several pro-housing bills under consideration in the Washington State Legislature, including lot-splitting, parking flexibility, the Washington Housing Accountability Act, co-living housing, rural accessory dwelling units, Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) reform, and more.

Read MBAKS’ Core Issues to learn more about the bills members highlighted in conversations with legislators.

MBAKS also expressed our strong concerns with a bill that would ban natural gas. The bill, HB 1589, passed the House earlier in the week in a 52-44-2 vote and is now pending before the Senate.

Sluder added, “Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make the day a success! Having legislators hear from our members about why these issues matter really does make a difference.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sharon Couts
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
425.499.1723

Governor Signs Into Law Buildable Lands Bill

New Law Will Improve the Methodology and Process Used to Assess Buildable Lands

Bellevue, Wash—July 7, 2017—Governor Jay Inslee yesterday signed into law Senate Bill 5254, ensuring adequacy of buildable lands and zoning in urban growth areas. The bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Fain (R-47th District), will improve the methodology and process by which local jurisdictions assess buildable lands.

Nick Harper, senior director of strategy & policy at the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, explained the significance of the bill, which has been a top legislative priority for the association. “The bill’s passage represents a major step forward for the buildable lands process by ensuring greater accuracy of information used to plan for growth,” he said. 

“The new law brings more specificity into what items must be reviewed to determine whether lands are buildable or what density could be achieved,” Harper added. “More accurate buildable lands data should help our region do a better job of utilizing existing land supply and infrastructure to meet current and future housing demand.”

The new law also provides increased certainty and flexibility for local jurisdictions to assist in funding low-income and homelessness programs.

The Growth Management Act requires King, Snohomish, Pierce, Clark, Thurston, and Kitsap counties to establish a buildable lands program to determine whether the counties and cities within them are achieving urban growth within their urban growth areas. Senate Bill 5254 adds Whatcom County to the list of counties participating in the buildable lands program. View the House Bill Report for Senate Bill 5254.

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties has grown to become the largest residential homebuilders association in the United States. With more than 2,900 member companies, the association is dedicated to membership value, housing advocacy, community service, and financial stewardship throughout the Puget Sound region. mbaks.com

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