Legislative News
Legislative Days 2025 Recap
Thank you to all who attended the Washington REALTORS® Legislative Days Event! This was the second time holding this event at the Little Creek Casino and we extend our gratitude to the Squaxin Island Tribe for their hospitality.The two-day event was packed with meetings, networking events, a gorgeous installation banquet, guest speakers and more. Our members met with Legislators to help further REALTOR® Legislative Priorities. OVER 600 REALTORS® attended with at least 200 first-time attendees!
EVENT PHOTO GALLERIES:
See below for a full recap of the event...
KEY MOMENTS
The 2025 Legislative Days was a robust two-day event packed with committee meetings, networking opportunities, awards, special recognition, and more. A standout moment was the presentation of the 2024 Margo Wheeler Aspiring Leader Award to Whidbey Island REALTOR®, Erin Neilon. In addition, attendees got the chance to learn more about the exciting partnership between Washington REALTORS® and Junior Achievement of Washington! See more highlights from the event below.
RPAC AWARDS
Help us thank and congratulate the 2025 RPAC Award winners announced during our Legislative Days Event! View the winners of the RPAC Awards here. INSTALLATION BANQUET
The 2025 President, Leadership, and State Directors of Washington REALTORS® were installed on Wednesday, January 29th! Join us in thanking our volunteer leadership for their time and commitment to improving the real estate industry. It's a monumental effort that they'll put forward this year and we can't thank our volunteer leadership enough for the dedication!
We had an incredible lineup of speakers at this year’s Legislative Days, bringing real talk about what’s happening in the real estate world. Here’s a recap of the big takeaways from our keynote sessions.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: NAR CEO NYKIA WRIGHT AND NAR PRESIDENT KEVIN SEARS
This was a must-watch discussion featuring:
Nykia Wright, CEO of NAR
Kevin Sears, NAR President
Nathan Gorton, WR CEO
John Blom, WR President
Nathan and John guided a candid and engaging conversation with Nykia and Kevin, diving into their journeys to leadership and their perspectives on where NAR is headed.
Nykia, NAR’s first female and Black CEO, shared her experience stepping into the role and leading the association through some big challenges. She reiterated her message at Inman Connect last week where she pledged more transparency at NAR and why it’s so important for NAR to rebuild trust and stay focused on supporting its members.
Kevin, who has been traveling nonstop to hear from REALTORS® across the country, reflected on what members are saying, the challenges they’re facing, and the priorities that are shaping his presidency. He also addressed the status of the lawsuits and settlements, explaining that while he believed NAR may have been successful in appealing the verdict that would have caused numerous local associations, MLS, firms and brokers to fight copycat lawsuits, and that ultimately a settlement was the right move for the industry.
One of the biggest questions from members was about NAR’s culture review, which came about due to harassment complaints at NAR. Nykia reassured everyone that the work is ongoing- and in fact, has already resulted in a number of changes at NAR—it’s just been overshadowed by the legal issues in the news.
Another hot topic? Dues. With the market being tough and agents feeling the squeeze, there were questions about NAR’s stance on dues moving forward. Kevin committed that NAR was looking inward first, and has already cut a number of programs from the budget. They understand the environment our members are facing and they will continue to do everything they can to pay the settlement without impacting our members on the street.
Its rare to have both the CEO and President of NAR at a state event and members left feeling that NAR was back on a path for success.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: LEIUTENANT GOVERNOR DENNY HECK
Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck took the stage to talk about one of Washington’s biggest challenges: housing affordability.
Denny has been a strong advocate for housing solutions, and he didn’t hold back when discussing the reality of the situation. He pointed out how Washington’s severe housing shortage is driving prices up and making homeownership unattainable for many. He also talked about how this crisis disproportionately affects communities of color, deepening the racial wealth gap.
The good news? There’s a push for real solutions. Denny shared some of the initiatives he’s working on at the state level, emphasizing the need for collaboration between government, the private sector, and local communities to make meaningful progress.
One thing was clear—this is a huge issue that’s not going away anytime soon, but there are steps being taken to address it. (For more on his work, check out this report on Washington’s housing challenges.)
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: JOE HARRIS ON NAR ADVOCACY
We got a deep dive into real estate advocacy with:
- Joe Harris, NAR’s VP of Government Advocacy
- Mary Hull-Drury, WR’s Government Affairs Director
Mary sat down with Joe to break down how NAR fights for REALTORS® at the federal level and why advocacy is more than just lobbying in D.C. Joe explained the difference between "grassroots" and "grasstops" advocacy—essentially, why your voice matters just as much as high-level policy discussions.
They also touched on major issues coming up in the 119th Congress, like housing supply, access to insurance, and tax policies that impact real estate. Joe ran through key legislation NAR is working on—things like the More Homes on the Market Act and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act—and how these could help with affordability and inventory.
A big takeaway? Your involvement matters. Whether it’s sharing client stories with legislators or staying informed on policy changes, REALTORS® play a huge role in shaping the future of housing.
Advocacy Panel Recap – 2025 Legislative Days
One of the most important discussions of the day was our Advocacy Panel, featuring WR’s Government Affairs team and lobbyists who broke down the major legislative issues impacting REALTORS® in Washington. This session was led by:
- Mary Hull-Drury, WR Government Affairs Director
- Nick Streuli, WR Lobbyist
- Denny Eliason, WR Lobbyist
- Bill Clarke, WR Lobbyist & Public Policy Director
- Riley Benge, WR’s Commercial Government Affairs Director
- Matt Side, WR VP of Government Affairs
Key Takeaways from the Advocacy Team
Housing Supply Bills in Play
Bill Clarke walked us through the legislative efforts aimed at getting more homes built. Some of the biggest bills WR is focused on include:
- Lot Splitting/Subdivision Reform (HB 1096, support) – Aims to simplify the process for splitting lots, making it easier to develop more housing.
- Rural Detached ADUs (HB 1345/SB 5413, support) – Would allow detached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in more rural areas to help increase housing options.
- Condo Liability Reform (HB 1403 & HB 1516, support) – These bills are focused on making condo development more feasible by reducing excessive liability risks that discourage builders from constructing condos.
- Transit-Oriented Development & Housing Supply (HB 1491, currently we are neutral & hope to offer amendments to attract more TOD developments) – Encourages dense housing development near public transit hubs, helping to create more affordable housing in urban areas.
Taxes & Fiscal Concerns
Denny Eliason took the mic to break down the financial and tax issues on WR’s radar, including:
- Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) Changes – oppose – there are proposals that could increase the REET on residential properties only over $3M, which WR is actively opposing.
- B&O (Business & Occupation) Tax – oppose - Lawmakers continue to explore raising or expanding this tax, which could impact real estate professionals.<
- Sales Tax on Services – oppose - There’s been discussion about applying sales tax to real estate services, which WR is fighting against.
- Property Tax Caps (1% to 3%) – oppose - A potential shift in how property taxes are calculated could have a big impact on affordability.
- Capital Gains Tax, oppose — WR will continue to oppose any proposal that would add “property” to the list of investments that are taxed under the capital gains tax.
Washington Center for Real Estate Research (WCRER) Funding
Mary Hull-Drury gave an update on efforts to increase funding for housing research in Washington. This funding (HB 1552, support) would continue data collection and reporting on housing supply, affordability, and market trends—essential info for shaping policy decisions.
Rent Control Battles Continue
Riley Benge talked about the ongoing pursuit of rent control policies, which is back again this session in the form of HB 1217 / SB 5222, oppose. The policy in these bills would put strict caps on how much landlords can increase rent, a policy that WR argues would reduce rental housing supply and discourage investment in housing. Rent Control passed out of the House last year but did not advance in the Senate and it’s still a major issue this session. REALTORS® continue to engage on this issue to minimize impacts on current and future housing supply. are encouraged to continue advocating against it.
Helping First Responders & Essential Workers Buy Homes
WR Lobbyist Nick Streuli wrapped up the panel with a discussion on the Homes for Heroes bill (SHB 1022, support). This bill would help firefighters, nurses, etc., with downpayment assistance programs to purchase homes in the communities they serve.
The panel emphasized that these aren’t just abstract policy debates—these issues directly impact the real estate market and the clients REALTORS® serve every day.
What YOU Can Do:
Know the issues – Use WR’s resources to stay informed.
Tell real stories – Legislators need to hear how these policies affect real buyers and sellers.
Engage in advocacy – REALTORS® have a powerful voice in shaping housing policy!
This panel was a great reminder that REALTORS® aren’t just selling homes—they’re shaping the future of housing in Washington.
THE HILL CLIMB
One of the most anticipated parts of this event each year, we transport hundreds of Washington REALTORS to the State Capitol Campus to meet with Legislators to discuss housing needs, priorities, and to discuss the impact certain bills have on REALTORS® and consumers alike.
Thank you again for attending the 2025 Legislative Days event and we look forward to seeing you again at our 2025 Spring Business Conference - view the WR Calendar here.
FOR LOCAL ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES
Looking to spread the news about the work your association members did in Olympia last week? View and download a customizable Press Release Template Press Release Template, and access other Legislative Day Marketing Resources here.