In 2022 and 2023 CCAR & Washington REALTORS® continued to advocate and win on key issues for our members! None of this would be possible without member contributions to RPAC (the REALTOR® Political Action Committee)
- In 2022, CCAR in collaboration with WASHINGTON REALTORS® defeated the following point of sale proposal within the City of Vancouver: “Adopt an all-electric building reach code that transitions at least 50% of buildings to all-electric at point of sale in 2030 and 90% of existing buildings transitioned to all-electric at point of sale by 2040,” This policy would have further complicated transactions for our members operating in the City of Vancouver. Defeating this policy wouldn’t have been possible without member contributions to RPAC and engaged members sitting on our Government Affairs Committee.
- CCAR successfully lobbied the Clark County Council in 2023 to increase the population growth forecast for the next 20 years. This new growth forecast will ensure the county plans for the new housing needed to accommodate these new residents, increasing future inventory for our members.
- CCAR lobbied to establish the first homebuyer down payment assistance program in Clark County. The government affairs team lobbied and testified in front of the Council in August of 2022 to include $2 million for this program in the budget using ARPA funds. Following that effort in March of 2023 an inter local agreement was established between the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and Clark County, adding another $666,000 in funding and officially rolling out the program for qualified buyers in Clark County. CCAR is always striving to support homeownership opportunities at a variety of income levels.
- In 2023 CCAR defeated restrictive sign ordinances throughout jurisdiction in Clark County. In the City of Camas, the council was proposing a 100ft sign ban from the outer curb of all roundabouts in the City. CCAR engaged its members and used its influence in the community to reduce this to 10 ft. This allowed our members to continue to advertise around the highest-trafficked areas in the City.
- CCAR has the largest business PAC at the local level. This helps us move the needle in key swing races when it comes to election time by electing Pro-REALTOR® candidates has allowed us to do the following things for the community:
- Reforming condo liability laws to allow more affordable condominiums
- Encouraging city councils to adopt middle housing zoning laws
- Blocking local rent control laws
- Become a key player on the vacant buildable lands model that will dictate Clark County’s comprehensive plan moving forward.
- Protecting short-term rentals in a safe and efficient manner.
- Responsible density reform including, but not limited to, ADUs, condos, multifamily units in single family zones.
- All of CCAR’s endorsed candidates for the 2022 mid-term election won their respective races. This was in large part due to the RPAC funding and advocacy influence CCAR wields. CCAR members who sit on our RPAC and Government Affairs Committees were integral in the selection, interview, and endorsement of candidates.
- WASHINGTON REALTORS® has and will continue to:
- Ensured that real estate was exempt from Capital Gains Tax.
- In 2023, RPAC RPAC also effectively thwarted proposed increases in the Washington State Real Estate Excise Tax, ensuring housing costs remain as low as possible for homeowners and potential buyers.
- Exempted REALTORS® from a 20% increase in the B&O Tax you pay- putting $250-$500 back in the pocket of our members each year.
- Protected your Independent Contractor Status.
- Beat back a bill that would have required any in-house transactions to involve attorneys for both the seller and the buyer.
- Reformed Condo Liability Laws so that more affordable condominiums can be built.
- Passed a bill that encourages cities to allow responsible density- things like accessory dwelling units, duplexes, and triplexes in single family zones and more.
- When we play – we play to win: Currently there are 8 Washington REALTORS® elected to the Washington State Legislature with 3 elected this year alone! Our members have the ability to influence policy and elections, inside and out.
