Bill > HB1927

This bill establishes a rent credit reporting pilot program designed to help tenants improve their credit scores by voluntarily reporting their rent payment history to consumer reporting agencies (CRAs). The Washington State Department of Commerce will administer or contract out a program that recruits up to 10 landlords and aims to include at least 100 tenants, with a focus on underserved populations. Participating landlords must agree to report rent payment information using approved mechanisms and without charging tenants, while participating tenants must consent to have their credit scores tracked before and after the program. The pilot will run from December 2025 to April 2028, with landlords potentially receiving reimbursement for program-related expenses. By July 1, 2028, the department must submit a comprehensive report to the legislature detailing the program's implementation, including participant demographics, reporting mechanisms, challenges faced, and an assessment of how the program impacted participants' credit scores. The program is designed as a temporary initiative, with the act set to expire on July 1, 2029, providing an opportunity to evaluate the potential benefits of systematically reporting positive rent payment information to credit agencies.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1927&Year=2025&Initiative=false