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2025 Legislation of Note

Legislation of Note

HOUSING

Morgan Irwin, AWB’s lead on land use and housing, is engaging with the following bills:

  • Transit-oriented development: On Friday, AWB testified in opposition to House Bill 1491 in a hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. AWB supports building denser housing near mass transit, but has concerns about the way this bill would be implemented. The current bill still includes affordability requirements that would discourage and likely hamper new housing construction. AWB also fought for a multifamily tax exemption to be included; unfortunately, the language adopted lacks clarity.

  • Short-term rental tax: Senate Bill 5576 would allow cities and counties to impose a 4% short-term rental tax to fund affordable housing. AWB opposes this bill because it could potentially impact billions of dollars in economic activity. The bill was scheduled for a vote in the House Appropriations Committee this afternoon.

  • Rent control: AWB also testified on Friday against House Bill 1217, which would impose a 7% annual cap on rent increases, among other requirements. We remain opposed to any bill that includes a rent cap. Learn more.

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EMPLOYMENT LAW

Lindsey Hueer, AWB’s lead on employment law issues, is tracking this bill and others:

  • UI for striking workers: AWB testified on Friday against Senate Bill 5041, which would allow striking workers to collect unemployment insurance benefits. AWB testified about the bill’s potential fiscal impacts and increased costs for employers. The bill was up for a vote this afternoon in the House Appropriations Committee; it is expected to move to the House floor for a full chamber vote.

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ENVIRONMENT

Peter Godlewski, AWB government affairs director for energy and the environment, is watching bills that include:

  • Environmental crimes: AWB remains concerned that Senate Bill 5360 creates an uncertain legal environment for workers who might be held liable for environmental violations. As written, a worker could face a felony charge under SB 5360. AWB has reviewed the most recent version of the bill; while there have been a few minor changes, they are nowhere near enough to address our core concerns. AWB remains opposed to SB 5360.

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