OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A local lawmaker led the charge in making significant changes to a rent control bill in the Washington State Senate.

HB 1217 passed out of the Senate on Thursday, making it the first time both chambers have passed a bill that limits rent increases throughout the state.

But Sen. Sharon Shewmake of Bellingham sponsored an amendment to increase the rent cap from 7% during any 12 months to 10% plus the consumer price index.

That means landlords could raise rents by more than 10% in years where inflation is higher.

Shewmake says she looked at past case studies of rent control and found concerning results.

“There was an experience with San Francisco, a similar 7% rent stabilization, we saw less supply,” Shewmake said yesterday. “As a result, people who got a rent-stabilized unit were better off, but other people were worse off because there was less supply and higher rents. And so a 7% cap I think is dangerous.”

She says her amendment, which narrowly passed by a single vote, will offer long-term protections to renters despite what some may think.

“I am not doing this to support the landlords, I am doing this to support the people that are not just housed today but are going to be looking for a place in five to ten years.”

Two more amendments approved by the Senate set a 2045 expiration date for many provisions in the bill and exempt some single-family homes.

The House and Senate will have to agree on the amendments before it goes to the governor for his approval.