HB 2484 - follow the bill here

From RHA, January 13th:

RHA members encouraged to contact House Judiciary members and urge them to vote NO on HB 2438 and HB 2484.

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Dear RHA Member,

RHA is actively fighting two bills in the State Legislature that received public hearings in the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday morning, January 13th, at 8:00 AM. Both bills would greatly impact the rental housing industry in regards to service animals and the notice requirement given to a tenant when terminating a tenancy.

Following this morning's hearing, both bills are tentatively set to be discussed in Executive Session at the committee on January 14th at 10:00 AM. There is still time to let legislators know that we do not support these bills.

The first, HB 2438, would significantly lessen the burden for service animal training. Under Washington discrimination statutes, "service animal" means an animal that is trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a sensory, mental, or physical disability of a person with a disability. HB 2438 would eliminate the training requirements for service animals.

The training requirement was consciously inserted in the law by the Legislature as good public policy after debate and consideration. This bill would overturn the Washington Court of Appeals decision in Timberlane Mobile Home Park v. WSHRC, 95 P.3d 1288 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004) and Storms v. Fred Meyer Stores, Inc., 120 P.3d 126 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005) interpreting RCW 49.60.040 to require that the animal be specifically trained for the purpose of assisting or accommodating a disabled person.

The second, HB 2484, would require a 30/60 day under/over written notice be provided to tenants under/over 12 months occupancy, while allowing tenants to only offer a landlord 20 days' notice prior to termination. This would be a drastic change to the current landlord tenant-act which requires 20 days' notice from either party to terminate a month-to-month agreement.

RHA is encouraging all rental property owners to voice their opposition to both pieces of legislation. It is important that we kill these bills before they are able to advance to a full vote on the House floor.

12th District Senator
Linda Evans Parlette
send email: parlette.linda@leg.wa.gov
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12th District Representative
Cary Condotta
Click Here to send email

12th District Representative
Mike Armstrong
Click Here to send email

Contact Sen. Maria Cantwell via Web Form.
Website: cantwell.senate.gov

Washington, D.C. Office:
511 Dirksen Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-4705
Phone: (202) 224-3441
Fax: (202) 228-0514

Contact Sen. Patty Murray via Web Form.
Website: murray.senate.gov

Washington, D.C. Office:
173 Russell Senate Office Building,
District of Columbia 20510-4704
Phone: (202) 224-2621
Fax: (202) 224-0238

Both Senator's Seattle Office:
915 Second Avenue, Suite 3206
Seattle, Washington 98174
Phone: (206) 220-6400
Fax: (206) 220-6404

Seattle Office:
915 Second Avenue, Suite 3206
Seattle, Washington 98174
Phone: (206) 220-6400
Fax: (206) 220-6404