OLYMPIA — Two bipartisan bills sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds) passed the Senate unanimously Tuesday.
The first bill prohibits real estate brokers from marketing residential properties for sale or rent in Washington to an exclusive group unless they are also marketed publicly. Right now, brokers may use private listing networks to market properties to exclusive groups, leaving other buyers and renters in the market with fewer options.
“These private listing models that are growing in popularity aren’t just a threat to consumer protections — they’re a way of excluding some people from being able to buy or rent homes in our state,” Liias said. “This bill is fundamentally about fair housing. When buyers and renters have equal access to the market, we level the playing field so everyone can consider all available options when they’re searching for their next place to call home.”
Realtors’ recommendations to sellers to use private listing networks have grown significantly in recent years. A 2025 Zillow/Harris Poll found that 63% of Americans who have sold a home in the past five years said their real estate agent recommended a private listing, compared to just 18% of sellers who sold a home more than five years ago.
James Fisher, vice president for government affairs with Washington REALTORS, said in testimony during the bill’s public hearing in the Senate Housing Committee that it is another important step toward eliminating inequities in Washington’s housing market.
“Despite progress, subtle forms of discrimination persist, often hidden with exclusive marketing strategies or selective outreach. This further limits opportunities for certain groups,” Fisher said. “We are proud to support SB 6091, and ultimately, most of our members see the value of requiring real estate firms and brokers to market properties to the public and all other brokers to ensure transparency and equal opportunity for all consumers.”
The second bill mandates that all Washington health plans issued or renewed on or after Jan. 21, 2027, cover all HIV antiviral drugs without requiring utilization management protocols, such as prior authorization or step therapy.
Between 2020 and 2024, newly diagnosed HIV cases in Washington increased by 24%. In addition, more than one-quarter of newly diagnosed HIV cases in the state were diagnosed late in the course of the illness.
“Eliminating the barriers that prevent people from getting care quickly is an essential step forward in our fight to eradicate HIV and AIDS in Washington,” Liias said. “HIV antiviral drugs are lifesaving medications that help reduce transmission and ensure those living with HIV can live long, healthy lives.”
Consistent use of HIV antiviral drugs reduces the amount of virus in the body, making it non-transmittable through sex. Research has found HIV treatment also significantly reduces the risk of transmission through pregnancy and breastfeeding.
During the bill’s public hearing in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee, Omni Romero, a commissioner and legislative chair for the Washington State LGBTQ Commission, testified in their personal capacity about how treatment barriers put patients’ health at risk.
“Step therapy is sometimes referred to as ‘fail first,’ which requires a patient to fail one treatment before receiving the best one, effectively using patients as guinea pigs for their own health,” Romero said. “I can only imagine if I had to prove that a medication wasn’t working or negotiating with that provider to get a treatment that I needed. These barriers put patients at risk of worsening symptoms and dangerous drug interactions, and so passing SB 6183 ensures that people living with HIV can access medication properly.”
The bill builds on Liias’ efforts to expand access to lifesaving care for Washingtonians. In prior legislative sessions, Liias sponsored several bills to increase access to HIV treatment and post-exposure drugs.
