Contact: data@mbaks.com

The April 2023 population estimates have been released, highlighting a 1.1% growth since April 2022 in Washington. According to estimates from the Office of Financial Management, Washington's total population has surpassed 7.9 million residents, with a total of 4,437,100 just in the Puget Sound region. King County has witnessed the largest influx, with an addition of 30,100 individuals since last April. Snohomish County follows closely with a growth of 12,500 over the same time period.

Read the full July Builders Bulletin:

On December 11, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)-supported Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act. The legislation focuses on reforming federal permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act with the goal of reducing delays and uncertainty that can slow housing and infrastructure projects.

The vote moves the bill to the U.S. Senate, where lawmakers will continue debating how to balance environmental protections with the need to build homes and infrastructure more efficiently.

What the PERMIT Act Does

The PERMIT Act is intended to streamline environmental permitting and reduce regulatory uncertainty that builders and infrastructure providers say contributes to rising costs and project delays. Key provisions of the bill include:

• Clarifying Clean Water Act jurisdiction by redefining “waters of the United States” and codifying exclusions for features such as waste treatment systems, ephemeral streams, and groundwater.

• Extending and improving nationwide permits to provide longer, more predictable authorization timelines.

• Establishing limits on judicial review timelines to reduce prolonged litigation and project delays.

• Addressing backlogs and inefficiencies in the issuance of jurisdictional determinations.

• Restoring a clearer pathway for states to assume control of their own wetlands permitting programs.

Lawmakers also adopted an NAHB-supported amendment on the House floor that would reduce compensatory mitigation costs through targeted, commonsense reforms. The amendment is intended to maintain environmental protections while improving predictability and supporting economic growth.

Supporters argue these reforms will create regulatory certainty, lower development costs, and help accelerate housing and infrastructure production at a time of acute national need.

What Happens Next

With House passage secured, the PERMIT Act now moves to the U.S. Senate, where its future remains uncertain. The legislation is expected to be part of a broader debate over federal permitting reform, infrastructure delivery, and housing affordability. For homebuilders and policymakers focused on reducing costs and delays, the outcome could have meaningful implications for how quickly new housing and infrastructure projects can move from proposal to construction.

For more details, view the NAHB blog or contact Dylan Sluder, State Government Affairs Manager, at MBAKS via 425.451.7920 for additional information.

Contact:
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067
pr@mbaks.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties Wins Awards for Best Service to Members and Best Community Service Project Conducted

BELLEVUE, Wash., June 12, 2024—MBAKS has been recognized for its outstanding Community Stewardship and GRIP programs with two Awards of Excellence from the Executive Officers Council (EOC) of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

“What an honor it is to have our team recognized for all the work they do to make home happen,” said Jerry Hall, Executive Director. “I’m so proud of the ways in which we’ve been able to give back, through a number of community stewardship projects as well as through the benefits our members receive from the GRIP program."

MBAKS offers member companies an opportunity to gain reimbursements for cultivating safe working environments through GRIP. Over the years, the program has constantly evolved to provide the highest level of service for the lowest cost while prioritizing the safety of member participants.

Since its inception, MBAKS’ Community Stewardship has given back to local communities through volunteer based projects as well as financial contributions. Through two flagship projects, Rampathon and Painting A Better Tomorrow, staff and member volunteers have improved homes and community spaces across the region, including constructing over 600 ramps for individuals and families with mobility issues and refreshing the interiors of more than 20 local nonprofit organizations.

The Association Excellence Awards is an annual program designed to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of state and local home builders’ associations and executive officers in the field of association management. EOC membership is comprised of the staff executives who direct more than 590 NAHB-affiliated state and local home builders’ associations representing more than 130,000 home builders in communities across the United States.

“I am inspired by the outstanding achievements of our local associations that won AEA honors this year. Their dedication to excellence, innovation, and community impact sets a high standard for all of us,” said Natalie Fryer, EOC President and Executive Officer of the HBA of Fayetteville. “These associations are shining examples of what can be accomplished with vision, hard work, and a commitment to quality. Congratulations to all the award-winning associations for their well-deserved recognition. Your accomplishments not only benefit your members but also enhance the entire Federation.”

The winning entries will be added to the NAHB website, so that other executives and associations across the country can access and learn from them in order to provide better service to their own members and community.

For more information on the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties go to mbaks.com or contact pr@mbaks.com. Learn more about the Association Excellence Awards. 

About MBAKS

The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders association, helping to make home happen since 1909. 

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