WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 1 REQUIREMENT TYPE
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(1) "CoordinatingCoordinating"Coordinating" or "coordinate" means the act of a service provider that: (a) Collects historical, anticipated, or contemporary prices, price changes, supply levels, occupancy rates, or lease or rental contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling units from two or more landlords, from private databases, or from public databases; and (b) Analyzes or processes the information described in (a) of this subsection through the use of a system, software, algorithm, or other automated process to provide recommendations regarding rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to more than one landlord, except the terms "coordinating" or "coordinate" do not include the publication of rental price estimates that: (i) Are solely based on publicly available information; (ii) are equally available to all members of the public; and (iii) do not require a contract, agreement, or license to obtain.Sec. 1(1)" or "coordinate" means the act of a service providerService provider"Service provider" means any person that performs a coordinating function.Sec. 1(5) that: (a) Collects historical, anticipated, or contemporary prices, price changes, supply levels, occupancy rates, or lease or rental contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling unitsDwelling unit"Dwelling unit" has the same meaning as in RCW 64.37.010 or 59.18.030.Sec. 1(2) from two or more landlordsLandlord"Landlord" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.18.030, or the terms "operator" or "owner" in RCW 64.37.010.Sec. 1(3), from private databases, or from public databases; and (b) Analyzes or processes the information described in (a) of this subsection through the use of a system, software, algorithm, or other automated process to provide recommendations regarding rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to more than one landlordLandlord"Landlord" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.18.030, or the terms "operator" or "owner" in RCW 64.37.010.Sec. 1(3), except the terms "coordinatingCoordinating"Coordinating" or "coordinate" means the act of a service provider that: (a) Collects historical, anticipated, or contemporary prices, price changes, supply levels, occupancy rates, or lease or rental contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling units from two or more landlords, from private databases, or from public databases; and (b) Analyzes or processes the information described in (a) of this subsection through the use of a system, software, algorithm, or other automated process to provide recommendations regarding rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to more than one landlord, except the terms "coordinating" or "coordinate" do not include the publication of rental price estimates that: (i) Are solely based on publicly available information; (ii) are equally available to all members of the public; and (iii) do not require a contract, agreement, or license to obtain.Sec. 1(1)" or "coordinate" do not include the publication of rental price estimates that: (i) Are solely based on publicly available information; (ii) are equally available to all members of the public; and (iii) do not require a contract, agreement, or license to obtain.
(2) "Dwelling unitDwelling unit"Dwelling unit" has the same meaning as in RCW 64.37.010 or 59.18.030.Sec. 1(2)" has the same meaning as in RCW 64.37.010 or 59.18.030.
(3) "LandlordLandlord"Landlord" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.18.030, or the terms "operator" or "owner" in RCW 64.37.010.Sec. 1(3)" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.18.030, or the terms "operator" or "owner" in RCW 64.37.010.
(4) "PersonPerson"Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.Sec. 1(4)" means any natural personPerson"Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.Sec. 1(4), corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.
(5) "Service providerService provider"Service provider" means any person that performs a coordinating function.Sec. 1(5)" means any personPerson"Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.Sec. 1(4) that performs a coordinatingCoordinating"Coordinating" or "coordinate" means the act of a service provider that: (a) Collects historical, anticipated, or contemporary prices, price changes, supply levels, occupancy rates, or lease or rental contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling units from two or more landlords, from private databases, or from public databases; and (b) Analyzes or processes the information described in (a) of this subsection through the use of a system, software, algorithm, or other automated process to provide recommendations regarding rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to more than one landlord, except the terms "coordinating" or "coordinate" do not include the publication of rental price estimates that: (i) Are solely based on publicly available information; (ii) are equally available to all members of the public; and (iii) do not require a contract, agreement, or license to obtain.Sec. 1(1) function.
Section 1 establishes the definitions that govern the chapter. The central defined term is coordinating, which describes the two-step conduct the bill targets: collecting rental pricing, occupancy, and lease data from multiple landlords or databases, then processing that data through an algorithm or automated system to generate recommendations back to more than one landlord. A narrow carve-out exempts publicly available rental price estimates that are freely accessible without a contract. The section also defines service provider as any person performing this coordinating function, and landlord by cross-reference to existing Washington landlord-tenant statutes.
(1) 1 It is a violation of this chapter for any landlordLandlord"Landlord" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.18.030, or the terms "operator" or "owner" in RCW 64.37.010.Sec. 1(3), in or affecting commerce, or any agent or subcontractor, to subscribe to, contract with, seek to obtain, or otherwise exchange anything of value in return for the services of a service providerService provider"Service provider" means any person that performs a coordinating function.Sec. 1(5).
(2) 2 It is a violation of this chapter for any service providerService provider"Service provider" means any person that performs a coordinating function.Sec. 1(5), in or affecting commerce, to coordinate two or more landlordsLandlord"Landlord" has the same meaning as in RCW 59.18.030, or the terms "operator" or "owner" in RCW 64.37.010.Sec. 1(3).
Section 2 contains the bill's two operative prohibitions. Subsection (1) targets the demand side: landlords, their agents, and subcontractors are prohibited from subscribing to, contracting with, seeking to obtain, or exchanging anything of value for the services of an algorithmic coordination service provider. Subsection (2) targets the supply side: service providers are prohibited from performing the coordinating function — collecting rental data and algorithmically recommending prices, lease terms, or occupancy levels — across two or more landlords. Together, the two subsections constitute a complete prohibition on both sides of the algorithmic rent-coordination transaction.
(1) The legislature finds that the practices covered by this chapter are matters vitally affecting the public interest for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW. A violation of this chapter is not reasonable in relation to the development and preservation of business and is an unfair or deceptive act in trade or commerce and an unfair method of competition and a contract in restraint of trade for the purpose of applying the consumer protection act, chapter 19.86 RCW.
(2) Only the attorney general may bring an action, in the name of the state, or as parens patriae on behalf of personsPerson"Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.Sec. 1(4) residing in the state, to enforce this chapter.
(3) Any personPerson"Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, firm, or association.Sec. 1(4) injured by a violation of this chapter may institute a civil action to recover damages pursuant to chapter 19.86 RCW.
Section 3 integrates the chapter into Washington's Consumer Protection Act (RCW 19.86). Subsection (1) declares violations of the chapter to be per se unfair or deceptive acts in trade or commerce and per se unreasonable restraints of trade — eliminating the need for plaintiffs or the attorney general to independently establish the elements of unfairness or deception. Subsection (2) grants the attorney general exclusive authority to bring enforcement actions on behalf of the state or as parens patriae. Subsection (3) preserves the private right of action for any person injured by a violation, allowing recovery of damages under chapter 19.86 RCW, which provides for actual damages, treble damages up to $25,000, injunctive relief, and attorney's fees.
Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.
Section 4 directs that the substantive sections of the bill be codified as a new chapter in Title 19 RCW (Fraud and Similar Offenses). This is a housekeeping provision that creates no independent compliance obligation.