WA HB1621

Superior courts may appoint attorneys as housing court commissioners to handle unlawful detainer (eviction) actions for residential tenancies, with county legislative authority consent required before creating the position

Housing court commissioners can hold hearings, receive filings, order investigations, issue subpoenas, and enter orders in eviction cases, with all decisions subject to revision by superior court judges

Commissioners must comply with fairness and impartiality standards and receive training from the Administrative Office of the Courts (no sooner than July 26, 2025) on landlord-tenant law and eviction procedures

Appointments are made by majority vote of superior court judges and may be full-time or part-time, with compensation set by the county legislative authority

The law took effect immediately on May 13, 2025, responding to record-high eviction filings (23,000 as of November 2024) that created court delays affecting both landlords and tenants