Ethics Complaint filed against State Sen. Emily Alvarado over rent cap bill conflict

Washington State Sen. Emily Alvarado (D-Seattle) is facing an ethics complaint alleging a conflict of interest tied to her dual roles as a lawmaker and housing policy executive with an organization that lobbied for a rent control bill she sponsored.

The complaint, filed Thursday with the Legislative Ethics Board by conservative Glen Morgan of the government accountability group We The Governed, accuses Alvarado of violating state ethics laws by sponsoring Engrossed House Bill 1217 while also serving as vice president for Enterprise Community Partners, a national nonprofit engaged in housing advocacy.

EHB 1217 seeks to limit rent and fee increases statewide. Among other provisions, it would cap annual rent hikes at 7% for most properties and 5% for manufactured and mobile homes. It would also require more robust notice before increases and restrict rent hikes during the first year of a lease.

Conflict of interest?

The Center Square, which first reported the complaint, notes that Enterprise Community Partners lists policy advocacy as part of Alvarado’s job responsibilities.

“She essentially uses her position as a legislator to reward the company that she works for,” Morgan told The Center Square. He argued that Alvarado’s paid role with a lobbying entity advocating for legislation she sponsors creates an “obvious” ethical breach.

“She’s getting substantial compensation for her work on housing policy from her non-legislative employer, who is lobbying for the very bill that she’s promoting,” Morgan said.

Washington’s Legislative Ethics Manual prohibits lawmakers from serving as executive directors or administrative officers of organizations where lobbying is a principal activity. The manual does allow lawmakers to serve on boards under certain conditions but stresses the need for recusal from legislative matters involving such organizations.

Efforts by The Center Square to obtain comment from Alvarado’s office went unanswered.

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