Government Affairs 2022 Year In Review

Government Affairs Committee continues to be your ear to the ground for local and state government decisions or proposals that will impact the success of the building industry. The past year has presented both challenges and some success. We have actively engaged in everything from the proposed changes at the State Building Codes Council to implementation of local habitat conservation plans."

- Jessie Simmons Government Affairs Director

Washington State – The Washington State Building Codes Council (SBCC) presented several changes to the state building code for implementation starting in July of 2023. They held public hearings in Yakima and in Olympia where they heard testimony in support of and against many of these changes. The hearings were also accessible via Zoom, where the public was allowed to submit virtual testimony. The proposals from the SBCC included changes across a wide variety of sections, but the changes specifically of interest and impactful to our members were mainly to the residential energy code.

Those changes include, but are not limited to:

• Natural gas may no longer be used for space heating for both residential and commercial   - heat pumps will be required on all new construction.

• All water heaters must be heat pump water heaters - no natural gas or electric resistance.

• All air handlers and heat pump water heaters must be located in conditioned space.

• Lowering the maximum U-value of windows to 0.28.

• Lowering the maximum air exchange rate to 3.0 ACH50.

• Mandating EV electrical charging circuits in all new construction.

Fortunately, the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) has been following this issue closely and working directly with Olympia Master Builders to gauge member opinion on the changes and generate an effort to add the voices of our members to the input of the public. OMB Government Affairs Director, Jessie Simmons, was able to provide testimony at the October 14th hearing, as well as several OMB members. Through such testimony members were able to voice concerns on the cost to builders and the impacts on the already overburdened residents seeking to fulfill their dreams of owning a home.

In all, several hundred people from, or associated with, the building industry were able to provide testimony and raise awareness of the impacts to housing affordability across the State of Washington. In person, virtual, and written testimonies were provided. BIAW and OMB continue to monitor the direction of these changes, but ultimately feel grateful for the voices who chose to speak up. It is often uncomfortable to put oneself out there, but the importance of having industry experts at the table cannot be understated.

Thurston County – Thurston County has been engaged in talks with the US Department of Fish and Wildlife (USDFW) for some time now. After 2022, we can announce what would seem to be the first steps toward a solution to this confusing process. The most significant of which is the decision by USDFW to accept Thurston County’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). The impacts of this decision will greatly impact the process through which all future development may occur in Thurston County and how such development must nav- igate balancing projects with protecting the habitat for those species deemed threatened by that development via the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

Federal approval means that Thurston County has been issued a 30year incidental take permit that will clear the way for implementation of the HCP beginning in 2023. In theory, acceptance of the HCP means a clear process that will create less hassle with surveying and permitting and better affordability.

Currently, the county is conducting hearings on changes to local code that will impact a smooth implementation of the overall process. They have presented to the public proposals for mitigation credits and the costs of those credits, changes to the reasonable use exception under the county’s Critical Areas Code, and potential waivers for the delegation of mitigation sites for the houseless individuals and families. Olympia Master Builders (OMB) has had representation, and provided testimony, at each of the public hearings on these items. The focus of that testimony has been on reducing costs to the builder and ultimately promoting housing affordability for members of our community. The process is ongoing, and OMB Government Affairs continues to monitor and take action where necessary.

On the horizon – OMB Government Affairs continues to be your ear to the ground for local and state government decisions or proposals that will impact the success of the building industry. The past year has presented both challenges and some success. We have actively engaged in everything from the proposed changes at the State Building Codes Council to implementation of local habitat conservation plans. However, the challenging work of bringing the voice of our members to the table at every discussion never ends. So, we ask that you consider getting involved with the Government Affairs committee and be a part of the discussion on the upcoming issues for 2023 including:

• Continued discussion around the implementation of Thurston County’s Habitat Conservation Plan.

• Proposed residential zoning changes in the City of Chehalis.

• Plan resubmittal and a third round of reviews for the West Bay Yards project in Olympia.

• Local elections.

• …and more.

Thank you for your efforts and dedication to the OMB mission, which continues to be to provide affordable housing for all economic segments of society. If you have any further questions or interest in government affairs, please contact our Government Affairs Director, Jessie Simmons, at (360)754-0912 or ga@omb.org.