WashingtonPublic buyers avoid seller protections under stated conditions
Public entities buying property for transportation are outside the seller protections, as are other public-benefit buyers that get an appraisal before closing.
What it does
Public entities buying property for transportation are outside these seller protections. Other public entities, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit nature conservancies are outside them only when buying for public benefit and getting an appraisal before closing.
Argument forPublic-benefit buyers that obtain an appraisal before closing may face fewer seller cancellation steps, which could help complete those purchases.
Argument againstOwners selling to exempt buyers may have fewer chances to reconsider because these transactions do not carry the stated appraisal and cancellation protections.
More detail
The law says certain public property purchases are outside these seller protections. The protections concern an actively solicited purchase of property that is not publicly listed for sale. Public entities acquiring property for transportation purposes are outside the protections. Other public entities, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit nature conservancies are outside the protections only when buying for a public benefit and obtaining an appraisal before closing. The protections apply to covered transactions made on or after January 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 24Chapter 198, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 24Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12President signed.Major
- Mar 12Speaker signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Passed final passage; yeas, 59; nays, 37; absent, 0; excused, 2.Passed House
- Vote recorded Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#35). Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11House concurred in Senate amendments.
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 30; nays, 18; absent, 1; excused, 0.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate (#35). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments.
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 25Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 25Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 25BTE - Majority; do pass with amendment(s).Minor
- Feb 25Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 4:00 PM.
- Feb 25Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 18Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 13First reading, referred to Business, Trade & Economic Development.Minor
- Feb 11Third reading, passed; yeas, 57; nays, 38; absent, 0; excused, 3.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#2). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 10Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 4Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 3Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Feb 3Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Feb 3CPB - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 3Executive action taken in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 28Public hearing in the House Committee on Consumer Protection & Business at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 22First reading, referred to Consumer Protection & Business.Introduced
Consumer Protection