Legislative Update
Krystelle Purkey SUMMARY OF THE 65TH LEGISLATURE The Washington State’s 65th Legislative Session adjourned (“sine die” – Latin for without day) on March 8th. For only the third time in the last decade, the Legislature did not go into Special Session. This is no small feat, finishing on time has only occurred during the short (non-budget) legislative sessions of 2008, 2014, and now 2018. “It’s almost like we need to be a full-time Legislature, or figure out a different schedule,” Representative Lytton said to The Seattle Times.
There is a high probability of another long session looming, several lawmakers have announced their intentions to not seek reelection in 2018, with more announcing every day. As of the end of March, 13 lawmakers have announced they will not be seeking reelection, leaving a large vacuum of political power and lots of political jockeying to fill those voids.
The most surprising retirement announcement was Senator Sharon Nelson (34th –Vashon Island), who is the current Majority Leader in the Senate. Several Democratic Senators have started throwing their names into the mix as the potential new leader. In addition, three House Democratic Chairs have also announced their retirement: Rep. Kristine Lytton (40th -Anacortes), Chair of the Finance Committee; Rep. Ruth Kagi (32nd -Shoreline), Chair of K-12; and Rep. Judy Clibborn (41st -Mercer Island), Chair of Transportation.
On the Republican side of the aisle, 9 GOP House members have announced their retirement, including the House Minority Leader Dan Kristiansen (39th –Monroe). J.T. Wilcox (2nd –Yelm), who was the Deputy Minority leader, was elected as the new leader before Sine Die. In the Senate, Michael Baumgartner (6th -Cheney) has announced he will be running for Spokane County Treasurer. Rep. Jeff Holy, Baumgartner’s seatmate, will be vying for his seat.
The large exodus means that no matter who is in power come November, the Legislature will have a completely new political make-up, with a lot of new personalities.
2018 Election Cycle In 2018, every House Representative and half of the Senators are up for reelection. Both parties have announced that they will be targeting key races. The Democrats, wishing to secure their majority in all chambers, have announced their top targets are: Sen. Mark Miloscia (30th – Federal Way), Sen. Joe Fain (47th - Kent), Sen. Jan Angel (26th – Gig Harbor), and Rep. Mark Harmsworth (44th - Snohomish). While the Republicans have announced they will be targeting Senator Steve Hobbs (44th – Snohmish), Rep. Christine Kilduff (28th – University Place), and Rep. Blake (19th - Aberdeen).
8 Community Associations Journal | May 2018
Candidate filing deadline is on May 18. All candidates running will need to have declared by this date and campaign season will truly kick off.
CAI SPECIFIC LEGISLATION During the 2017-18 Biennium, the Legislative Action Committee (LAC) advocated for the interests of CAI members. Over 20 pieces of legislation were actively worked on or monitored this year and only 3 passed.
Substitute Senate Bill 6175 – WUCIOA Brief Summary: Establishes the Washington Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (WUCIOA) to govern the formation, management, and termination of common interest communities including condominiums, homeowner associations, and real estate cooperatives. Only two sections of WUCIOA will automatically apply to existing common interest communities (condominiums, homeowner associations, and cooperatives) in Washington. One addresses the process for an existing community to elect to be governed by WUCIOA and the other addresses budget ratification and assessments. The full Act will only apply to common interest communities created after its effective date.
Prime Sponsor: Senator Jamie Pedersen Bill Status: Governor Inslee signed the bill into law on March 27, 2018. Effective Date: July 1, 2018
Second Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2057 – Foreclosure Fairness
Brief Summary: The striking amendment introduced by Senator Mullet is the culmination of a two-year process with over twenty stakeholders. The final bill is the agreed upon language that touches on everything from Department of Commerce’s foreclosure fairness fees to how the financial server can “maintain” the property. The two sections that impacted community associations were: deceased borrower and nuisance abatement. The deceased borrower provisions created a process for servicer and associations to follow if an individual passes away without a will and is in a foreclosure procedure. The nuisance abatement section forces servicers to conduct maintenance on the property if it falls into all three of the following categories: 1) it is in a foreclosure, 2) the property is abandoned, and 3) the city or county has deemed it a nuisance under prudery. Associations will be continuing the nuisance discussions over the interim.
Prime Sponsor: Representative Tina Orwall Bill Status: Governor Inslee signed the bill into law on March 29, 2018. Effective Date: June 7, 2018
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