Report - 2026 02 25 A34104 D299214 Bill Report 2624 Sbr Bte Ta 26

Summary

A Senate Bill Report on HB 2624, an act clarifying consumer protections regarding unsolicited real estate transactions for public purposes or by nonprofit land conservancies, current as of February 18, 2026 and prepared by nonpartisan staff of the Senate Committee on Business, Trade & Economic Development. The bill is sponsored by Representatives Donaghy, Fosse and Scott and passed the House on February 11, 2026 by a vote of 57-38. The report describes rights established in 2025 for owners solicited to sell property, including an appraisal and a right to cancel, and existing exemptions. It states the bill expands the exemptions to transactions by any public entity for any public purpose, by an Indian tribe, or by a nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association. The report closes with staff summaries of testimony for and against the bill.

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Full text

                            SENATE BILL REPORT
                                  HB 2624

                                     As of February 18, 2026

Title: An act relating to clarifying consumer protections regarding unsolicited real estate
     transactions for public purposes or by nonprofit land conservancies.

Brief Description: Clarifying consumer protections regarding unsolicited real estate
     transactions for public purposes or by nonprofit land conservancies.

Sponsors: Representatives Donaghy, Fosse and Scott.

Brief History: Passed House: 2/11/26, 57-38.
     Committee Activity: Business, Trade & Economic Development: 2/18/26.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
           • Excludes public entities acquiring property for public purposes, Indian
             tribes, and a nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association
             from the requirements for solicited real estate transactions.


SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

     Staff: William Bridges (786-7312)

     Background: Solicited Real Estate Transactions. In 2025 the Legislature established
     certain rights for property owners of solicited real estate transactions. Property owners who
     are solicited for the purchase of their property, which is not currently available or listed on
     the real estate market, are entitled to, among other things:
         • an appraisal by a licensed appraiser;
         • receive notice from the potential buyer of the property owner's right to an appraisal;
            and
         • cancel the purchase contract without penalty or further obligation under certain
            conditions.




     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Senate Bill Report                              -1-                                           HB 2624
     The following solicited real estate transactions are exempt from these provisions:
        • transactions where a buyer or seller is represented by a licensed real estate agent;
           and
        • transactions where any public entity is acquiring real property for transportation
           purposes.

     Nonprofit Nature Conservancy Corporation or Association. A nonprofit nature conservancy
     corporation or association is a federally tax exempt organization under the U.S Internal
     Revenue Code—26 U.S.C. section 501(c)—as it existed on June 25, 1976, and which has as
     one of its principal purposes the conducting or facilitating of scientific research; the
     conserving of natural resources, including but not limited to biological resources, for the
     general public; or the conserving of open spaces, including but not limited to wildlife
     habitat to be utilized as public access areas, for the use and enjoyment of the general public.

     Summary of Bill: Expanding the Exemptions Regarding Solicited Real Estate
     Transactions. The exemptions for solicited real estate transactions are expanded to the
     following:
         • transactions by any public entity for any public purpose;
         • transactions by an Indian tribe; or
         • transactions by a nonprofit nature conservancy corporation or association.

     Appropriation: None.

     Fiscal Note: Not requested.

     Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

     Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

     Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This is a trailer bill for a law passed law year
     that was designed to prevent people from taking advantage of vulnerable homeowners and
     their homes for far less than they were worth. There was a group that was missed that
     should have been excluded. With nature conservancies and other similar groups go through
     a completely different purchasing process. It takes many months for them to complete a
     transaction and they use certified appraisers that can cost up to $15,000.

     The Trust for Public Land is a national conservation group that works with cities, counties,
     state agencies, and directly with landowners on acquisitions for things like trails and parks
     and boat launches. Unlike predatory buyers, the Trust's transactions occur over a number of
     months, and their transactions often require approvals by the State Parks Commission, the
     Fish and Wildlife Commission, city councils, and county councils. All Trust transactions
     are with willing buyers, a significant amount of public process, and very specific appraisal
     requirements.



Senate Bill Report                              -2-                                        HB 2624
     CON: Proponents of this bill did not reach out to the 218,000 small forest landowners in
     this state. The median age of these owners is over 67. Like many small landowners, they
     haven't kept up with current real estate trends. They really don't know about timber value.
     They just know that they have loved this property forever. They regularly receive
     unsolicited offers to take this piece of timberland off our hand for incredibly low wall
     prices. There is nothing inherently unique about conservation and tribal entities that would
     prevent predatory behavior. They are economically rational players, and this bill will
     provide a huge loophole for them.

     Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Brandy Donaghy, Prime Sponsor; Bill Clarke,
     The Trust for Public Land.

     CON: Elaine Oneil, Washington Farm Forestry Association.

     Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.




Senate Bill Report                            -3-                                        HB 2624


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