Washington legislation · 2025-26 Regular Session
Washington HB1859: Housing dev./religious orgs.
Status: Signed into law, March 9, 2026
Expanding opportunities for affordable housing developments on properties owned by religious organizations.
What the bill says
An act Relating to expanding opportunities for affordable housing developments on properties owned by religious organizations; amending RCW 35.63.280, 35A.63.300, and 36.70A.545; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing expiration dates.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT Relating to expanding opportunities for affordable housing developments on properties owned by religious organizations; amending RCW 35.63.280, 35A.63.300, and 36.70A.545; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing expiration dates. Sec. 1. RCW 35.63.280 and 2019 c 218 s 1 are each amended to read as follows: (1) A city planning under this chapter must allow an increased density bonus consistent with local needs for any affordable housing development of any single-family or multifamily residence located on real property owned or controlled by a religious organization provided (b) The affordable housing development is part of a lease or other binding obligation that requires ((the development))at least 50 percent of the housing units to be used exclusively for affordable housing purposes for at least fifty years, even if the religious organization no longer owns the property; and (c) The affordable housing development does not discriminate against any person who qualifies as a member of a low-income household based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability; or otherwise act in violation of the federal fair housing amendments act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3601 et seq.). (2) A city ((may))must develop …
Sponsors
- Osman Salahuddin (D) · primary sponsor
- Strom Peterson (D)
- Beth Doglio (D)
- Lisa Parshley (D)
- Jeremie Dufault (R)
- Leavitt, Mari (D)
- Julia Reed (D)
- Mia Gregerson (D)
- Greg Nance (D)
- Chipalo Street (D)
- Edwin Obras (D)
- Timm Ormsby (D)
Latest actions
- : Effective date 6/11/2026.
- : Chapter 2, 2026 Laws.
- : Governor signed.
- : Delivered to Governor.
- : President signed.
- : Speaker signed.
- : Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 0.
- : Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
- : Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.
- : Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
Votes
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 28, 2026): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Committee on Housing: Do pass (February 25, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 3rd Reading & Final Passage (February 11, 2026): 94 yea, 1 nay, passed
- House Committee on Finance: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass (January 29, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Committee on Housing: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass (February 20, 2025): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: HOUSING AND HOMES, RELIGION AND RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, GROWTH MANAGEMENT, TAX PREFERENCES - EXEMPTIONS, CREDITS, DEDUCTIONS, DEFERRALS, ETC.
Common questions
- What is HB1859?
- HB1859 is a bill in the Washington Legislature (2025-26 Regular Session): Housing dev./religious orgs.
- What does HB1859 do?
- In its own words: An act Relating to expanding opportunities for affordable housing developments on properties owned by religious organizations; amending RCW 35.63.280, 35A.63.300, and 36.70A.545; adding a new section to chapter 82.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and providing expiration dates.
- What is the status of HB1859?
- Signed into law as of March 9, 2026. Latest action: Effective date 6/11/2026. (March 9, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB1859?
- Osman Salahuddin (D), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1859?
- On the Washington Legislature website: https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1859&Year=2025
Source: official Washington record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.