Despite opposition from Governor Gary Locke, the House of Representatives unanimously passed HB 1430, which requires all state agencies to conduct a housing impact assessment of all proposed regulations.

Locke’s policy staff testified before the House State Government Committee against HB 1430 last month. Their testimony against the bill focused on the cost to state agencies, while ignoring the fact that most working families in Washington State can no longer afford a home.

“Washington State is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis,” said Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) President Randy Gold. “Given that government regulations significantly impact home costs, and Washington boasts some of the highest home costs in the nation, HB 1430 is common sense if you want to address the root problem behind housing affordability.”

State government taxes and regulations add a whopping 25 percent to the cost of an average home in Washington State – the result is a housing market that ranks among the most unaffordable in the nation. The legislation forces state government to consider the cost impact of a proposed regulation on housing before adopting a rule.

“Governor Locke may not care about keeping housing affordable for working families, but at least Legislature cares about this important issue,” said Gold.