At the same Law and Justice Committee meeting in Mill Creek, representatives of property managers and eviction practitioners described operational pressures from state and local legal changes and offered procedural fixes intended to shorten eviction timelines and reduce unpaid-rent accumulation.

Jim Henderson, who said he represents Washington members of the National Association of Residential Property Managers, told senators he planned to ask for "four practical fixes" to speed the process and protect residents and staff. Henderson described an evolving legal landscape since 2018 that he said has increased procedural complexity and inconsistency across jurisdictions and contributed to more refiled cases and unpaid rent accumulation. "Currently in King County, it from date of filing to disposition, it is closer to 90 days than 60 days," Henderson said, adding that a further delay of about two months for sheriff execution can drive unpaid rent to five to six months in some instances.

Attorney David Britton (Britton Law / Landlord Solutions) described typical case flow in King and Pierce counties and identified procedural triggers that lengthen cases, including continuances to secure counsel. He said most tenants in active cases do not default at the first hearing and that continuances to allow counsel to appear are a common cause of delay. Britton proposed statutory or rule changes to permit partial payments without automatically reinstating a lease under current interpretations and to reduce procedural traps that force refiling. He noted specific RCW citations when discussing timing limits and procedural effects, and suggested a narrower set of technical changes to increase predictability for landlords and tenants.

The witnesses also raised safety and habitability costs when problematic residents remain in place for extended periods. Henderson said property staff often live onsite and face harassment, sometimes requiring private security. Britton added that smaller private landlords can be hit hard financially by long filing-to-execution timelines, which may put mortgage payments and property viability at risk.

Discussion vs. direction vs. decision: Presenters offered proposed statutory and administrative remedies during the panel; the committee did not vote on or adopt any changes. Senators requested written proposals; Chair Dhingra asked for Henderson's draft language and Britton said he would circulate his suggested bill text to the committee.

Ending: Committee members asked for written proposals and follow-up information to consider potential legislative responses ahead of the next session.