HB 2069, sponsored by Rep. Jeremie Dufault (R–Selah) contains the same language as HB 1705.

AWC opposed the changes in HB 1705 and has the same concerns about HB 2069.

The bill repeals statutes that provide cities and towns with the authority to attach liens to properties for a tenant’s unpaid utility bills. Additionally, the bill prohibits municipal utility providers from being able to collect on unpaid or delinquent accounts from a property owner when the account is in a tenant’s name.

The current statute was negotiated with stakeholders about ten years ago. These changes would upend that agreement.

The result would be fewer options for cities in collecting on delinquent accounts. That will result in more unpaid bills driving up costs for all other rate-payers. Cities maintain that it is appropriate for landlords to be responsible when a tenant has a delinquent bill because they have tools, like withholding a deposit, to help hold the tenant accountable.

Since the only change from HB 1705 was the bill title, the new bill went straight to executive session on February 15 in the Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee and was passed out of committee with some amendments. However, the amendments do not fully address the concerns that cities have expressed.

Rep. Dufault has contacted AWC’s Government Relations staff to discuss possible additional amendments to mitigate cities concerns. While we appreciate that outreach, we still need you to reach out to your local legislators and express your concerns with the changes in HB 2069 and ask them not to support the bill until our concerns have been addressed.