GET INVOLVED: 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Legislative Session begins on January 12, 2026, and your RHAWA Government Affairs team is ready to get you involved. Your involvement in our advocacy efforts is beneficial to both you and all housing providers in Washington State; make a difference with us this year and participate in our advocacy efforts. You have likely already seen our road map for this year’s Legislative Session, but it is crucial that we continue to provide you with all the information you need to participate with us in this year’s session. Next month we will provide you with a recap of our kickoff event and information on all pre-filed bills relevant to housing providers.

Pre-Hearing Briefing Rooms

GA staff and lobbyists will be available to consult with you two hours before any critical hearings in the Virtual Briefing Room throughout the session. They can assist you with signing up for your remote committee testimony and help you prepare your speaking points prior to your appointment.

Weekly Online Meet-Up

January 12 – March 12, 2026

Hop into our 11 AM Monday morning meet-up to learn what the most pressing bills are for the week. You will receive an event reminder with a join link prior to each meet-up. Legislative Session begins January 12, and our first weekly meet-up will coincide with the start of Legislative Session.

Calls to Action

Watch your inbox for hearing announcements, upcoming events, and Calls to Action. Content from this coalition is developed and approved by our leadership advocacy team. All Calls to Action and advocacy updates will include a way to submit written testimony or a link that will grant you easy access to the sign-up process.

Advocacy Center

The Advocacy Center is your go-to resource to make sure you’re ready to participate in our advocacy efforts. This page is continually updated with our most up-to-date campaigns. The Advocacy Center allows you to message lawmakers with ease, providing summaries, talking points, and pre-written messages for every bill we will engage with. Please keep in mind that adding your personal story to these pre-written messages is the most effective way to communicate with your lawmakers. It was mentioned earlier that one member’s testimony is worth ten of our lobbyists; this concept applies to the Advocacy Center messages as well. The Advocacy Center also provides you with resources to find your lawmakers and keep up with every bill we are currently tracking in real time.

January 7, 2026 at 6 PM (Online Only)

Join the RHAWA Government Affairs (GA) team and lobbyist Chester Baldwin to discuss the upcoming legislative session with lawmakers who work hard to support us on the hill. You can help drive the solutions to our challenges by advocating for policies that build a healthy housing economy for all, so don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to get involved. Make your voice heard and join us in defending your rights as a housing provider. Join us on January 7, 2026, from 6–7:30 PM for our 2026 Legislative Session Kickoff. You can register for this event now on our website: RHAWA.org/events/.

Please note: Registering for the kickoff event will automatically register you for all other Legislative Session events.

Legislative Day on the Hill

February 4, 2026

We are welcoming our membership to come down to Olympia once again and meet with their lawmakers at the RHAWA Legislative Day on the Hill. Once you register on our website, our Government Affairs team will identify your lawmakers and set up a day of conversation and engagement for you to participate in Olympia in person. Make sure your information in your member profile is fully up to date, which allows the Government Affairs team to accurately identify your relevant lawmakers for both your voting district and the districts where you own rental properties. This is an incredible opportunity to meet face-to-face with lawmakers who decide policy in your district.

This opportunity may seem intimidating, but you need not worry. Our team will prepare information and handouts to allow you to communicate effectively and make an impact in each and every one of your meetings.

Legislative Session Recap

Estimated: Last week of March

This event will discuss the 2026 Legislative Session from start to finish. We will be going over our hardest fights, biggest opportunities, and key takeaways. Don’t miss this opportunity to peek behind the curtain and figure out not just what happened, but why it happened. Learn what messaging is effective and how we can bolster our grassroots advocacy efforts. We will also be talking about what comes next and how to prepare for the upcoming elections.

If you have involved yourself in RHAWA’s recent events such as ENGAGE 25 or have kept up to date on our recent issues of CURRENT, then you may already be familiar with our legislative priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session. RHAWA Government Affairs and leadership team worked hard to develop these priorities and communicate with lawmakers in order to present a proactive and well-planned approach in this upcoming legislative session. We look forward to seeing you in Olympia and in our virtual briefing rooms already familiar with our goals and strategies for this year’s Legislative Session.

Service of Notice Fix (Related to HB 1003)

Overly complex service-of-notice rules continue to confuse tenants and housing providers alike, not to mention the exorbitant costs associated with new certified mail requirements. A technical correction to HB 1003 will improve how notices are delivered and verified, reducing disputes and legal costs for both sides.

Preventing Further Restrictions Related to Rent Control

Some legislators are expected to reintroduce proposals to further limit rental rate adjustments by lowering allowable caps and removing inflation indexing. While these efforts are framed as tenant protection, they risk reducing housing supply and discouraging maintenance and reinvestment. RHAWA will continue to strongly oppose any legislation that penalizes responsible housing providers for inflation and rising costs beyond their control.

Tenant Assistance Program

Rental assistance provided to struggling families fosters a strong partnership between tenants, housing providers, and the State of Washington.

• Short-term rental assistance for seniors, fixed-income, low-income, veterans, and others facing acute economic stress and/or potential eviction situations.
• Prevents evictions, preserves affordable housing, ensures family stability, and has helped prevent homelessness.
• Provides short-term gap funding for the difference between what the tenant owes and what they can afford to pay.

Predatory Rent Increases

Bad actors can sometimes raise rent or collect fees in a way that is sudden, drastic, and intended to force a tenant out. This often occurs when a low-rent building is sold or needs major rehabilitation because it is at the end of its useful life. Establishing rules can help stabilize housing.

Harmonization Act

Washington State needs a consistent set of rules for all Washington cities across the state. This will alleviate confusion, create confidence and compliance, and foster a more harmonized rental housing market landscape for both tenants and housing providers.

• Benefits to tenants and housing providers by providing certainty and consistency regarding their legal obligations.

Tenant Safety Act

Currently, families are being forced to live next door to abusive and sometimes dangerous tenants before eviction, regardless of their behavior.

• Streamlines the process of evicting residents engaged in dangerous activity.
• Protects tenants who report dangerous or illegal activity.
• Creates an expedited process for dangerous and unruly tenants.
• Collaborates with law enforcement for swift removal of dangerous residents.
• Prevents manipulation or intentional delays of the system.

Stay Alert and Vigilant

Developments during Legislative Session can happen rapidly with very little warning. Make sure you are keeping up to date with RHAWA’s Calls to Action to engage when we need you. Join our weekly briefing rooms to stay ahead of the curve and read all Calls to Action carefully.

Anyone can get involved. Even if you only have a limited amount of time to devote to engaging in this year’s Legislative Session, you can message your lawmakers in just a few clicks. As always, feel free to reach out to RHAWA’s Government Affairs team if you have any questions about involvement or are looking for advice on how to make the most of your efforts.

Thank you for preparing for this year’s Legislative Session. We will see you in Olympia.