NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 7

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 6

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

Advocacy in Action

with Carter Nelson, Director of Government Affairs

NAIOPWA Board Member Carl Shorett Appointed to Governor’s Housing Task Force

We’re excited to share that Carl Shorett, Senior Director of Development at AvalonBay Communities and a member of the NAIOPWA Board of Directors, has been appointed to the Washington State Task Force on the Establishment of a Department of Housing.This is a meaningful opportunity for our organization and our industry. NAIOPWA has been deeply engaged in statewide housing conversations, and Carl’s appointment ensures that the development community’s practical, on‑the‑ground expertise is represented in one of the most consequential housing policy efforts underway in Washington.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 5

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 4

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

The first major cutoff of the 2026 legislative session has come and gone. The House of Origin policy cutoff occurred on Wednesday, February 4, marking a key milestone in determining which bills will continue to advance this session.

Several bills of concern did not move out of their respective policy committees and are now considered “dead” for the year, including HB 2141, HB 2209, and SB 5848. Development related bills that are still alive and under active discussion include the Environmental Justice Act (HB 1303) and Commercial Corridors bill (SB 6026).

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 3

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

Week three marked the final full week before the House of Origin policy committee cutoff, driving a sharp increase in hearings, negotiations, and amendments as lawmakers worked to move policy bills across the first big checkpoint.

Looking ahead, next week brings two critical deadlines: the House of Origin policy committee cutoff on Wednesday, February 4, followed closely by the fiscal committee cutoff on Saturday, February 7. As a result, our Government Affairs team will be working through the weekend to engage on priority legislation and respond quickly as bills advance.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 2

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

Week two of the legislative session was a pivotal one for CREDAWA, marked by strong engagement with lawmakers, candid policy discussions, and a clear focus on the real-world impacts facing commercial and industrial development across Washington.

We hosted our legislative reception, which brought key legislative leaders from both chambers and both parties together with CREDAWA members. The reception allowed for meaningful relationship-building and open dialogue around the policies shaping development, housing supply, and economic growth. Conversations were constructive—and at times challenging—reflecting the seriousness of the issues before the Legislature and the trust CREDAWA has built as a credible voice in Olympia.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 1

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

The first week of the Washington State legislative session set the tone for a fast-paced 60-day sprint, with sharp contrasts emerging in leadership messages. In his opening remarks, Governor Bob Ferguson emphasized stability and continuity, urging lawmakers to stay focused on protecting core services, addressing affordability, and navigating ongoing fiscal pressures while advancing long-term priorities.

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck struck a notably bipartisan note, calling on members of both chambers to work across party lines, respect institutional norms, and remember that durable policy outcomes depend on collaboration—particularly in a short session with limited time for major course corrections.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 0

Krystelle Purkey and Riley Benge, State Lobbyists

The Washington State Legislature convened today, Monday, January 12, for the start of the 2026 legislative session, a 60-day “short session” marking the second half of the 2025–27 biennium. All bills that did not pass in the 2025 Legislative Session remain alive and in play. 

As is customary, legislators will begin their budget work using the Governor’s proposed supplemental operating budget as the baseline. Governor Ferguson’s proposal reflects a roughly $79 billion operating budget - a $1.2 billion (1.5%) increase over the prior 2025 -27 biennial budgets - and prioritizes housing, disaster response, and core state services. The Governor continues to support a so-called “millionaire tax,” a 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income above $1 million, but despite his public support of the proposal,  Governor Ferguson’s supplemental budget does not rely on revenue from that proposal to fund appropriations, leaving any tax debate largely separate from immediate budget balancing. 

 

NAIOPWA, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, Announces 2025 Night of the Stars Finalists & First Winners: Community Impact Project in Kirkland, Bothell Spec Industrial Building 

People’s Choice Award with Daily Voting on the NAIOPWA website begins Wednesday, September 17

SEATTLE – NAIOP Washington State, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association, announced the finalists for the 2025 Night of the Stars Awards, showcasing the premier developments revitalizing the Puget Sound region, from office and residential towers to historic renovations and eye-catching hotel projects.  

This year, finalists include three candidates for Developer of the Year: local multifamily and mixed-use developer MainStreet Property Group, industrial powerhouse Panattoni Development Company, and headline-grabbing office developer Skanska USA Commercial Development. 

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Lookback

Krystelle Purkey and Ehren Flygare, State Lobbyists

The 2025 Washington State legislative session was one of the most tumultuous and emotionally charged sessions in recent memory, marked by significant political tension, major fiscal challenges, and the deaths of two beloved legislators. From the opening days, the atmosphere was fraught with division. Deep ideological splits over how to address the state’s financial crisis created a highly charged environment where lawmakers frequently clashed not only along party lines but also within their own caucuses.

The most pressing issue was the staggering $16 billion budget deficit. The reality of the shortfall quickly consumed legislative discussions, setting the tone for the months ahead. Proposed cuts sparked widespread protests and added to the strain inside the building. In response, a range of revenue ideas were volleyed around the Capitol, from new taxes on capital gains to expanded sales tax bases and proposals for bond measures.

NAIOPWA is excited to invite you to the From Field to Ferry Property Tour on Tuesday, July 15. This tour highlights the city’s exciting preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. As part of this networking event spotlighting urban transformation, attendees will visit 505 First, a key sustainable project helping revitalize Pioneer Square. This building illustrates how thoughtful renovation and green design can modernize existing infrastructure, enhance community spaces, and support a more resilient urban core.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 15

Krystelle Purkey and Ehren Flygare, State Lobbyists

With just two days left of the 2025 regular legislative session, there is speculation that we may be headed into a special session if lawmakers are unable to agree on a budget by sine die.

Rent Caps Bill Gets Another Round of Changes in Conference Committee

Revenue Proposals: A Race to the Finish Line
The most current Democrat tax suite projects a revenue of approximately $12.2 billion over the four-year outlook.

Major tax bills still in play include an excise tax on zero-emissions vehicle credits, an expansion of the capital gains and estate taxes, a B&O tax on high-grossing businesses, sales tax on certain services, tax preference repeals, and a possible watered-down wealth tax poised to test the constitutionality of the policy. Governor Ferguson has signaled his opposition to the original wealth tax proposal that hoped to raised an estimated $2-4 billion over the next biennium.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 14

Krystelle Purkey and Ehren Flygare, State Lobbyists

The Opposite House floor cutoff on Wednesday came and went quietly, leaving many policy bills dead on the calendar—a disappointing outcome for advocates who had hoped for progress on their legislation and a win for legislators and lobbyists wishing for the demise of certain proposed policies. Despite the looming deadline, neither the House nor the Senate designated a “5 p.m. bill,” and both chambers adjourned their sessions promptly at or before 5 p.m. Meanwhile, members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee quickly transitioned to a 5:30 p.m. scheduled hearing focused on new revenue proposals, underscoring the ongoing discussions about the state's fiscal strategy even as a major legislative deadline passed.

Majority Democrats Propose New Revenue Measures

Democratic lawmakers are exploring several new tax proposals aimed at generating revenue for public services, education, and healthcare. But on Thursday afternoon, seventeen hours before the $12 billion tax package was set to be voted on in Senate Ways & Means, Governor Bob Ferguson voiced concerns in a press release, calling it "too risky." Ferguson did not however present any level of revenue policy he would sign, or specific programmatic cuts he would recommend.

NAIOP Washington State is excited to partner with Alaska Airlines for the 2025 Pacific Northwest Real Estate Challenge, NAIOPWA’s annual development case competition in which Master of Real Estate (MSRE) students take on the role of developer to craft creative and innovative development proposals for a selected project site. At the end of the quarter, student teams will present their proposals to a panel of industry judges who name the Challenge winner and recipient of the coveted Bob Filley Cup. 

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 13

Krystelle Purkey and Ehren Flygare, State Lobbyists

With the passing of the Tuesday, April 8 deadline for bills to be voted out of fiscal committees, the legislative process now enters its next phase. Both the House and Senate will shift their focus to floor debates, caucus, and conference committee negotiations as they work through the last two weeks of the 2025 regular legislative session. The next deadline of consequence is the Opposite Floor Cutoff on April 16 by which bills must be voted out of the opposite chamber.

Although the broader legislature remains focused on voting on policy bills through April 16, budget negotiations are ongoing behind the scenes. Fiscal leaders are grappling with how to reconcile their funding priorities with concerns raised by Governor Ferguson last week, especially around proposed revenue measures. The central challenge is finding common ground between legislative goals and the governor’s push for reduced spending and less new revenue.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 12

Krystelle Purkey and Ehren Flygare, State Lobbyists

As the iconic campus cherry blossoms bloom and the deadline for bills to be voted out of fiscal committees approaches on Tuesday, April 8, the Washington State Legislature is entering the final stretch of the 2025 regular session. This marks a crucial phase in the legislative process, where lawmakers race against time to advance their proposals before critical cutoff dates.

Following the April 8 deadline, legislators will shift their focus to intense floor debates and caucus discussions, working long hours to negotiate and pass bills before the opposite house floor cutoff on Wednesday, April 16. As the session winds down, the stakes are high, with advocates, stakeholders, and policymakers pulling out the stops and closely watching the fate of key measures that may either advance or pause until the next session.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 11

Krystelle Purkey and Ehren Flygare, State Lobbyists

With just one month left of the 2025 regular legislative session, the deadline for bills to be voted out of policy committees is Wednesday, April 2. After this date, there is a very tight six-day turnaround for bills that have an impact on the state budget to be voted out of fiscal committees. This brief window of time means that lawmakers will have to act quickly to ensure that bills with fiscal implications, but are not NTIB, receive the necessary attention before they can move forward in the legislative process.

Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp Passes Away
The legislative community was shocked this week by the news that former Representative, Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp (D-43) died on Saturday at the age of 71.  Chopp was elected to the Legislature in 1994, a year when his Democratic Party suffered significant losses, dropping from a near supermajority in the House to a 62-36 minority.

In 1997, he became House Minority Leader and when the House was evenly split between Democrats and Republicans in 1999, he served as co-speaker alongside Republican Clyde Ballard of East Wenatchee.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 10

Krystelle Purkey and Ehren Flygare, State Lobbyists

This week, regular legislative activity primarily revolved around policy committee hearings, where lawmakers reviewed and debated bills that had recently advanced from the opposite chamber.

Some of these include high profile bills like Unemployment Insurance for Striking Workers (5041), Waste Management (5284), Firearm Restrictions in Sensitive Places (5098) and Rent Stabilization (1217). These hearings are part of the lead up to the April 2 deadline for bills to be passed out of policy committees.

NAIOPWA Legislative Session Report - Week 9

Krystelle Purkey and Ehren Flygare, State Lobbyists

Wednesday, March 12, marked the critical deadline for bills to advance out of their chambers of origin. With this milestone passed, legislative focus now shifts to the next phase: bills making their way across the rotunda to be considered by policy committees in the opposite chamber. 

Each floor cutoff day brings anticipation with one recurring question—what will be the “5 p.m. bill?” According to legislative rules, so long as the bill’s process begins before the 5 p.m. deadline, discussions can continue well into the evening. So sometimes, the bill was brought up the day prior or earlier in the day, only to be finished later, even brought up again at 4:59pm or later. This final bill of the day often carries symbolic weight. Sometimes, it's a contentious measure that sparks extended debate, stretching late into the night. Other times, it's a broadly supported, feel-good proposal—perhaps a resolution honoring a local hero, commemorating an historic event, or recognizing a cause that garners bipartisan backing. This year, we witnessed both types of bills.