A bill that would cap rent increases in Washington state had a hearing in a Senate committee Wednesday, Jan. 22. House Bill 1217 passed out of committee last week, and now a companion bill, Senate Bill 5222, is working its way through the Senate. Lawmakers in the Senate Committee on Housing heard testimony during an afternoon hearing. SB 5222, sponsored by Sens. Yasmine Trudeau (D-Tacoma) and Mike Chapman (D-Port Angeles), would make it illegal to increase rent in the first year of a tenant's stay, regardless of the length of the lease term. After the first 12 months, rent increases would be capped at 7% each year unless a landlord can prove they qualify for an exemption. Read more: https://www.king5.com/article/news/politics/state-politics/bill-cap-rent-increases-washington-committee-hearing/281-cb005b9d-f8c7-4e8a-8e4c-d8d2edeacd90