Goehner bills related to ADUs senior citizens tax exemption and impact fee deferrals pass House before cutoff deadline

Rep. Keith Goehner

OLYMPIA - With a few hours to spare before the house of origin cutoff deadline on Tuesday, Rep. Keith Goehner had two bills pass the state House of Representatives.

The House unanimously passed Goehner's House Bill 2375, related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and tax exemptions, and his House Bill 1468 related to impact fee deferral fees.

"House Bill 2375 would add 'detached' ADUs to property that qualifies for the senior citizen and disabled persons property tax exemption," said Goehner, R-Dryden. "Attached ADUs are already exempt. Anything we can do to provide more affordable housing for low-income individuals is a must, given our state's housing crisis."

House Bill 1468 relates to contractor impact fees.

"This legislation is the result of a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee study. The legislation would make housing development more feasible by reducing the up-front costs to builders and allowing the fees to be paid at closing, when they receive funds from the sale of their homes," said Goehner. "The bill would remove the requirement that a lien be put on a property when there is an impact fee deferral."

Earlier on Tuesday, Goehner's legislation that would create the Backcountry Search and Rescue Account also passed the House unanimously.

All three bills are now in the Senate for consideration.

The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on March 7.