Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 1802
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning optional methods of financing long-range planning costs.
Sponsors: Representatives Fitzgibbon, Takko and Springer.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/11/15
Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).
Background:
With limited exceptions, counties, cities, towns, and other municipal corporations are prohibited from imposing taxes, fees, or charges, either direct or indirect, on the construction or reconstruction of residential buildings, commercial buildings, and industrial buildings. This prohibition also extends to taxes, fees, and charges on the development, subdivision, classification, or reclassification of land.
Exceptions to the general prohibition on taxes, fees, and charges related to construction and land divisions include allowances for the local government imposition of:
impact fees by jurisdictions that are fully planning under the Growth Management Act; and
reasonable fees from an applicant for a permit or other governmental approval to cover the costs of processing applications, inspecting and reviewing plans, or preparing detailed statements required by the State Environmental Policy Act.
Summary of Bill:
The list of allowable items for which a county, city, town or municipal government may collect reasonable fees from an applicant for a permit or other governmental approval is expanded to include the costs of long-range planning.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.