NAIOPWA Government Affairs

Commercial real estate development in Washington state—including the member businesses of NAIOPWA—supported more than 56,000 jobs and contributed $8.8 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2017. NAIOP’s robust government affairs agenda is dedicated to supporting the members who make that possible by providing them an effective voice before policymakers in Olympia and at city hall. This effort includes maintaining an active Government Affairs Committee, comprising NAIOP Washington State members; engaging local and state lobbyists, who advise and report to the membership on government issues; developing white papers and position statements; and managing and directing contributions to the NAIOP Washington State PAC.

2019 Legislative Priorities

Seattle and Puget Sound

Council elections. All seven district seats on City Council will be up for November 2019 election.
Citywide Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) upzone adoption anticipated for Q2 2019.
Impact fee proposals
Commercial affordability requirements

2018 Local priorities included:

Continue engagement on HALA as it passes through Seattle City Council.
Continued work on Seattle Mayor’s Industrial Lands Task Force.
Engagement with Seattle Office of Economic Development / Mayor’s Office on Commercial Affordability policy direction.
Expanded presence on regional issues.

For more information, contact Natalie Quick, [email protected], 206-779-0489

Washington State

Taxes (including Capital Gains, B&O and REET proposals)
SEPA/permitting reform
Affordable housing reform/incentives
Rent control reform
MTCA reform
Vesting

2018 State priorities included:

Pass multifamily tax credit legislation.
Defeat capital gains tax, B&O tax increases, rent control proposals.
Defeat any attempts to further dilute vesting protections.
Seek reform to DOE voluntary cleanup program.
Remain engaged on 2017 SEPA reform.

For more information, contact Greg Hanon, [email protected], 253-279-8282

2017 Report

Chart showing NAIOPWA advocacy spending in 2017

In 2017, NAIOP Washington State initiated, supported and moved forward many efforts that build a positive environment for commercial real estate development now and in the years to come. Key among the year’s successes are the following accomplishments:

During the 2017 legislative session NAIOP successfully opposed proposals to adopt a capital gains tax, increase the real estate excise tax (REET) and increase the B&O tax.
The Seattle City Council voted unanimously to approve the long-awaited upzone for Downtown and South Lake Union to add additional height and density where it’s most needed, as well as thousands of new affordable housing units in Seattle’s core over the next decade. For the past several years, NAIOP leadership and members have been actively involved in the shaping and passing of this legislation, which is part of the city’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA). Members called city council members, testified and provided input into this legislation.
2017 primary and general elections: NAIOP provided financial support to the following candidates that align most closely with NAIOP’s priorities and values. The following NAIOP-supported candidates won their elections:

31st District House race: Morgan Irwin
King County Executive: Dow Constantine
Seattle Mayor: Jenny Durkan
Bellevue City Council Position 4: Jared Nieuwenhuis
Redmond City Council Position 4: Tanika Padhye
Renton City Council Position 6: Ruth Perez
Renton City Council Position 2: Armondo Pavone

Download NAIOPWA's 2017-18 Legislative Report

National

NAIOP’s national legislative priorities for 2017 were Tax Reform, Capital and Credit Availability and Infrastructure and Transportation. A NAIOP Washington State and Government Affairs Committee member currently serves on the National Tax and Finance Committee on behalf of the industry and our region.