SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5103

              As Passed Senate, January 14, 2000

Title:  An act relating to Washington's coastal zone program.

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the state's coastal zone program.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Environmental Quality & Water Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Swecker, Jacobsen, Fraser, Spanel, Morton and Rasmussen).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Environmental Quality & Water Resources:  2/11/99, 2/16/99 [DPS].

Passed Senate, 3/12/99, 49-0; 1/14/00, 44-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & WATER RESOURCES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5103 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fraser, Chair; Eide, Vice Chair; Honeyford, Jacobsen, McAuliffe, Morton and Swecker.

Staff:  Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background:  Under the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, federal agencies must determine whether their actions or the actions of their permittees or licensees are consistent with approved state coastal zone management programs.  Washington has had a program since 1976.  Many state and local government policies which could influence federal actions that affect the state's coastal zone are not currently included in the program.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Ecology is designated the principal agency for administering the provisions of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act and is authorized to receive and administer federal grants and enter into agreements with other government entities.  By July 1, 2001, the department must review state and local laws that relate to the coastal zone, in consultation with the relevant agencies and governments, and apply to have these included in the state's federally approved coastal zone management program.  The department must also compile the program into a single document and provide for public review and comment on applications for state concurrence in federal consistency determinations.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 14, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The Shoreline Management Act and some other state laws are currently included in the coastal zone management program, but the Growth Management Act and other state laws are not, and so are not enforceable policy in respect to the federal government.  Farmland conversions contrary to local land use laws have been one of the negative consequences.  State laws will be integrated, as well as included, resulting in better resource protection.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Bruce Wishart, People for Puget Sound; Therese Swanson, Dept. of Ecology; Josh Baldi, WA Environmental Council.