(The Center Square) – State Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, is facing an ethics complaint accusing her of violating state laws related to her employment with an organization lobbying for Engrossed House Bill 1217 limiting rent increases. Alvarado is the legislation’s prime sponsor.
EHB 1217 aims to improve housing stability for tenants by limiting rent and fee increases, requiring notice of increases, limiting fees and deposits, and creating parity between lease types. It also provides for tenant lease termination and enforcement by the state attorney general. The bill would cap annual rent hikes at 7% for most units and 5% for manufactured and mobile homes. The bill prohibits any increase within the first year of tenancy but includes several exemptions, mainly for affordable housing providers.
On Thursday, Glen Morgan of We The Governed filed a complaint against Alvarado with the Legislative Ethics Board, writing, “In particular she is in violation of RCW 42.52.020 (Activities incompatible with public duties) and RCW 42.52.110 because of her employment with an organization that engages in lobbying efforts.”…