Advocacy and Accomplishments

January 2025

Day on the Hill

We enjoyed meeting with Senator Mark Schoesler, from the 9^th Legislative District, who is supportive of our causes and who we can count on for support. Representative Brandy Donaghy, a member of the Consumer Protection and Business Committee, inspired us to remain hopeful in our efforts to alleviate our license renewal fee increase. Rep Donaghy is a champion for Washington appraisers and author of HB 1081. She shared her plans to propose a bill that would address the funding issues with the Department of Licensing. 

Meeting with the Department of Licensing

We had an in-person session with the Department of Licensing (DOL) to discuss an appeal to reconsider the license fee increase, which was imposed as a result of a budget shortfall of some $600,000 in the appraisers fund that was caused caused, in part, by the non-payment of funds by the DOL to the ASC. Our goal was to resolve administrative issues and discuss legislative actions with the DOL, including Chair Dave Paul of the Postsecondary Education & Workforce Committee, who has assumed responsibility for the DOL licensing program oversight. The DOL agreed to re-evaluate the fee increase. 

Expanded Social Media Presence

In 2025, we committed to establishing and maintaining a social media presence via LinkedIn and Facebook. We are proud to have increased our following by over 75% in a 12-month span and increased engagement by more than 60% on both platforms. 

February 2025

Highest and Best Use

We were successful in having a FAQ added to the DOL website to address middle housing and highest and best use, (see question #9). The Coalition is working with DOL to determine the appropriate location for the comment in either the RCW (law) or the WAC (rules).  

March 2025

Proposition of House Bill 1973 and Budget Proviso

After our formal appeal with the DOL for licensing fee increase to be reconsidered was denied, Representative Brandy Donaghy proposed HB 1973, to reduce the fee increase to a maximum of 33%, give the DOL six years to balance the budget shortfall, and refund excess fees that appraisers had already paid to date. The budget shortfall amount of $600,000 prevented the bill from moving out of the House Appropriations Committee, however, it remained open for consideration through the end of the legislative session as a matter "necessary to implement the budget", which made it exempt from cutoff deadlines. Other legislative leaders expressed positive feedback about a budget proviso approach, to request that the amount come from the State General Fund. Our lobbyist, Tony Sermonti, and Rep. Donaghy began the work of drafting budget proviso language that would provide refunds and cap the DOL fee increases for the next two years. 

April 2025

Named Foundation Partner by The Appraisal Foundation

In April, we were honored and proud to be accepted as a Foundation Partner of The Appraisal Foundation (TAF), giving us a seat at the national table. Foundation Partners are non-profit organizations that share TAF's mission of upholding public trust in the appraisal profession, who collaborate with one another to work toward that goal. 

Appraisers Get a Voice on HB1108

Through the assistance of our lobbyist, Tony Sermonti, appraisers were added to HB1108, which created a legislative task force on housing cost driver analysis. The task force was to be composed of members representing all areas of housing development. The bill was later vetoed by Governor Ferguson. 

Waiver Valuations

The Coalition actively sought changes regarding the Waiver Valuations in Eminent Domain. The problem is a conflict between Federal regulations which state that Waiver Valuations are not appraisal reports, and WA State law which states that they are appraisal reports. Individuals performing Waiver Valuations violate state law if they are not licensed appraisers. Licensed Appraisers are violating state law and are subject to disciplinary action if they complete waiver valuations and do not include all necessary components of an appraisal report, thus turning a waiver valuation into an appraisal report and defeating the intended purpose of a waiver valuation.  

The proposed changes would eliminate any conflict between federal and state law. Again, we are working with DOL to determine if the RCW needs to be modified or if we can add this to the WAC. The Coalition has suggested the following verbiage: "Waiver Valuations performed under 49 CFR Part 24 or Title 8 RCW for purposes of federal, state, or locally funded acquisitions are exempt from the provisions of Chapter 18.140 RCW".

May 2025

Record Attendance at our Annual Spring Conference

Our annual Spring Conference in May brought record attendance by appraisers in Spokane, who gathered for a day full of fantastic speakers sharing the latest in appraisal news, trends, upcoming changes, and more. Click here for video highlights and click here to download some of the presentations. 

Budget Proviso Filed

Ahead of Governor Ferguson's deadline to sign the state budget, our budget proviso was filed to provide funds to the appraiser's account. An appeal was made to both the Chair and Vice Chair of the House Budget committee, explaining why we needed funds to come from the State General Fund and explaining the impact that the imposed fee increase on appraisers was having on our profession. 

The Appraisal Foundation Partners Meeting

Our board President attended The Appraisal Foundation (TAF) Partner Meeting to participate in discussions about the future of the appraisal of the appraisal profession, including comments on two recent Concept Papers from the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) regarding Alternative Experience and the Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) regarding Artificial Intelligence and its intersection with USPAP. The Coalition's position was emphasized regarding concerns that current licensing requirements create a barrier to entry at a time when our appraiser population is aging, new entrants to the profession are not keeping pace with those exiting, and the impact that technology is having on the profession. 

June 2025

Appraiser Conference and Trade Show State Organization Host

Our Advocacy Partner, the National Appraisers Association, co-hosts the annual Appraiser Conference and Trade Show (ACTS) with Appraiser eLearning. The Coalition was honored to be called upon to be the State Organization Host for the 2026 ACTS, which will be held in Seattle. 

July 2025

Budget Proviso and DOL Update

In response to Governor Ferguson's veto of the budget proviso that would have provided funds for the DOL to fill their budget shortfall and reduce appraisal licensing fees, the Coalition submitted the following:

Letter to Governor Ferguson, sent 7/11/25

TAF Joint Council Meeting

Our board President attended TAF's Joint Council Meeting to participate on the Advisory Council in its review and discussion on the responses to the AQB and ASB Concept Papers released earlier in the year.

Appraisal Waivers

We learned that the Washington State Department of Transportation's Right of Way Manual and Local Agency Guidelines were updated and, in association with the changes, the Washington Administrative Code was revised to reflect similar changes. In response, our Legislative Committee will pursue efforts to add clarity to the Waiver Valuations as defined by 49 CFR Parc 24.2 and Part 24.102 (corresponding WAC 468-100-002 and RCW 8.26.180, respectively). 

August 2025

Appraisal Waivers - Update

We drafted a proposed bill and are seeking legislative support to sponsor the bill for the upcoming legislative session. 

September 2025

Mobile Technology Roundtable

Along with the Appraisal Institute Seattle chapter, we hosted a roundtable event that focused on supporting appraisers in their transition away from clipboards and onto mobile devices during field inspection. Our team of seasoned "mobile appraisers" shared their guidance and best practice tips on how to save time and work efficiently. We filled the room with 30 people registered and hope to plan a similar event in Spokane at a later date. 

October 2025

Required Education Approval with the DOL

The Coalition was instrumental in securing approval by the DOL for two courses on Valuation Bias and Fair Housing, in accordance with the AQB Qualifying and Continuing Education requirement changes that will be effective 1/1/26. The Qualifying Education course is 8 hours and will be required for anyone applying for a new or upgraded license, and for Appraiser Trainees. The Continuing Education course is 7 hours and will be required for anyone renewing their credential.

Preparation for UAD 3.6

hosted a 2-day Appraiser's Guide to the New URAR course with instructor, Josh Walitt, which provided an in-depth first-hand look at the redesigned, dynamic URAR and upcoming UAD 3.6. 

November 2025

2025 Appraisal Summit

Two of our board members represented the Coalition with a booth at the 2025 Appraisal Summit conference, hosted by the NAA. Our board President also attended the State Representatives Meeting, where each state provides progress reports and discusses issues and challenges that appraisers are facing. This provided us a unique opportunity to see the best of what each state organization is doing on behalf of their members and to collaborate with them on ideas and solutions. This grassroots level effort is what the Coalition is all about and we came away with some ideas on how to continue our work to improve and support appraisers state-wide. 

December 2025

Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Course

In response to the upcoming AQB requirement for credential renewal after 1/1/26, we made a 7-Hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course available at a reduced cost. The course was taught by renowned Attorney, Peter Christensen and was very well received. 

AQB Exposure Draft and Concept Papers

We shared a major announcement from the AQB attending TAF's Advisory Committee meeting regarding proposed changes to the qualification requirements. The proposed changes are in response to comments received earlier in the year on the AQB's Concept Papers and Job Survey. We intend to submit a letter of comments on the proposed changes and encouraged all members to participate in this critical conversation about reducing barriers to entry into our profession.