HB 1433, from Rep. Davina Duerr (D–Bothell), authorizes cities and counties to require that the owner of a single-family residence obtain and make available a home energy performance report before the residence may be publicly advertised for sale.
Per the bill, home energy performance reports, where required by a city or county, must contain specified information and be prepared by a qualified home energy auditor certified by a qualified certification program approved by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Washington State Department of Commerce is directed to develop, maintain, and make available a standardized format for home energy performance reports.
A city may not require a home energy performance report until the city has conducted an analysis of the financial impacts on low-income home sellers associated with the performance report requirement and has adopted a program to mitigate such financial impacts.
HB 1433 passed out of the Senate Environment, Energy, & Technology Committee last week. It now awaits a hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee.