The REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) is constantly advocating to protect private property rights and keep the market strong for members and our clients. RPAC is looking out for REALTORS® and property owners by focusing on issues that impact our business and supporting candidates and elected officials that support REALTORS®. Since 1969, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the United States. The purpose of RPAC is clear: voluntary contributions made by REALTORS® are used to help elect candidates who understand and support their interests. These are not members’ dues; this is money given freely by
REALTORS® in recognition of the importance of the political process. The REALTORS® Political Action Committee and other political fundraising are the keys to protecting and promoting the real estate industry. Clark County Association of Realtors has its own Realtor Political Action Committee that is charged with fundraising for political candidates and real estate issues advocacy.
The download is useful for client packets, website updates and more! Your clients deserve to know what you, as a REALTOR® are doing to promote and protect property rights.
2023 RPAC Achievements
Business operations would look a lot different for REALTORS in Washington and across the country if not for our 2020 and 2021 efforts:
1.) In 2022, CCAR in collaboration with WASHINGTON REALTORS® defeated the following point of sale policy 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.
2.) CCAR defeated restrictive sign ordinances throughout jurisdictions 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 down to 10 ft. This allowed our members to continue to advertise around the highest trafficked areas in the City.
3.) 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.
4.) 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. Helping elect Pro-REALTOR candidates have allowed us to do the following things for the community:
- Reform condo liability laws to allow more affordable condominiums
- Encourage city councils to adopt middle housing zoning laws
- Block local rent control laws
- Become a key player on the vacant buildable lands model that will dictate Clark County’s comprehensive plan moving forward.
- Protect 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
5.) All of CCAR’s endorsed local and state 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.
6.) WASHINGTON REALTORS® has and will continue to successfully advocate for our members by: defeating bills trying eliminate your independent contractor status, exempting all real estate transactions from the newly introduced Washington State capital gains tax, and beating back a bill that would have required any in house transactions to involve attorneys for both the seller and the buyer.
7.) 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.
8.) Represented at every level: All funds raised by the Clark County Association of REALTORS is split with Washington REALTORS and the National Association of REALTORS. This ensure that any national, state, or local level issues can be addressed. Without local support, the national and state associations would face greater challenges. The current split for every dollar raised by CCAR Members for RPAC are: 30% goes to NAR, 45% to state, 25% to local.
RPAC DID THAT!
RPAC solved these and many more issues by advocating for the real estate industry. None of this would be possible without the support of RPAC. Support RPAC’s mission by investing now so we can preserve social mobility, private property, and the American Dream!