WA Democrats advance bills that could gut local camping bans with unfunded mandates

(The Center Square) – House Democrats advanced two proposals Monday that local officials fear could undo all the work Spokane has done downtown over the past several months to tackle public camping.

HB 2489 would prohibit cities from enforcing camping bans unless they can afford to house every homeless person with their pets and belongings in the immediate area.

HB 2266 would require cities to permit homeless shelters anywhere outside industrial zones that allow residential housing and hotels. It would also remove auditing from the list of conditions that cities may require service providers to meet to receive public tax dollars, while adding reporting and monitoring.

​The Housing Committee advanced House Bill 248...