Committee advances substitute for House Bill 19‑74 to expand land-banking tools, 10–7
January 22, 2026 | Legislative Sessions, Washington
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The House Housing Committee on Jan. 22 reported a proposed substitute for House Bill 19‑74 out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation after a 10–7 roll‑call vote.
The substitute (H‑2757.2) trims several provisions from the original bill while adding an annual reporting requirement and a real‑estate excise tax exemption. Staff told the committee the substitute removes county authorization and advisory‑board mandates, removes priority rules for surplus properties and eliminates a competitive grant program administered by the Housing Finance Commission.
"I move the proposed substitute House Bill 19 74 be reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation," Vice Chair Hill said when bringing the motion. Hill said land banking is one step toward making land available for affordable housing and commended the Spokane Regional Land Bank’s work in involving nonprofit partners.
Some members supported the policy direction but said they could not recommend a yes vote without reservations. "This bill has a lot of really good pieces to it," Representative Barkas said, but added she would vote "no without recommendation" because of concerns about "the ever increasing expansion of tax incentives, property tax, excise tax, real estate excise tax" and the potential impact on private developers and local tax bases.
Representative Dufo said similar worries in her district — municipalities taking property off the tax rolls — informed her decision to be "without recommendation" even as she acknowledged the bill's merits.
Clerk read the roll: Representatives Peterson, Hill, Richards, Entenmann, Gregersen, Lakanov, Reid, Thomas, Timmons and Zahn voted aye; Representatives Lowe, Jacobson, Manjaras, Barkas (recorded as Barkis), Connors, Dufo (recorded as Dufot) and Engel recorded no votes without recommendation. The clerk announced a final tally of 10 ayes and 7 nos without recommendation.
By the vote, the committee reported the substitute out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation; the bill now moves to the House for further consideration.
Next steps: the substitute will be scheduled for further floor action where additional amendments or debate may occur.
The substitute (H‑2757.2) trims several provisions from the original bill while adding an annual reporting requirement and a real‑estate excise tax exemption. Staff told the committee the substitute removes county authorization and advisory‑board mandates, removes priority rules for surplus properties and eliminates a competitive grant program administered by the Housing Finance Commission.
"I move the proposed substitute House Bill 19 74 be reported out of committee with a due pass recommendation," Vice Chair Hill said when bringing the motion. Hill said land banking is one step toward making land available for affordable housing and commended the Spokane Regional Land Bank’s work in involving nonprofit partners.
Some members supported the policy direction but said they could not recommend a yes vote without reservations. "This bill has a lot of really good pieces to it," Representative Barkas said, but added she would vote "no without recommendation" because of concerns about "the ever increasing expansion of tax incentives, property tax, excise tax, real estate excise tax" and the potential impact on private developers and local tax bases.
Representative Dufo said similar worries in her district — municipalities taking property off the tax rolls — informed her decision to be "without recommendation" even as she acknowledged the bill's merits.
Clerk read the roll: Representatives Peterson, Hill, Richards, Entenmann, Gregersen, Lakanov, Reid, Thomas, Timmons and Zahn voted aye; Representatives Lowe, Jacobson, Manjaras, Barkas (recorded as Barkis), Connors, Dufo (recorded as Dufot) and Engel recorded no votes without recommendation. The clerk announced a final tally of 10 ayes and 7 nos without recommendation.
By the vote, the committee reported the substitute out of committee with a due‑pass recommendation; the bill now moves to the House for further consideration.
Next steps: the substitute will be scheduled for further floor action where additional amendments or debate may occur.
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