HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5621

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Technology & Economic Development

Title: An act relating to projects of statewide significance for economic development and transportation.

Brief Description: Concerning projects of statewide significance for economic development and transportation.

Sponsors: Senators Brown, Hobbs, Rivers, Sheldon, Ericksen, Warnick, Honeyford, Becker, Braun and Wilson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Technology & Economic Development: 3/21/17, 3/23/17 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Expands the types of projects that qualify as projects of statewide significance.

  • Changes the qualifications for designating projects of statewide significance.

  • Requires agreements between cities and counties and the Office of Regulatory Assistance to include the coordinated and comprehensive review of a project of statewide significance.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Morris, Chair; Tarleton, Vice Chair; Smith, Ranking Minority Member; DeBolt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doglio, Harmsworth, Manweller, McDonald, Nealey, Steele and Wylie.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Kloba, Vice Chair; Hudgins and Santos.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 2 members: Representatives Fey and Slatter.

Staff: Kirsten Lee (786-7133).

Background:

Projects of Statewide Significance.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) may designate qualifying projects as projects of statewide significance to expedite their completion.  Projects of statewide significance include:

Qualifications for Designation.

A project applicant must apply to Commerce for the project of statewide significance designation.  Except for aviation biofuels production facilities, the project must:

City and County Agreements.

A county or city with projects of statewide significance within its jurisdiction must enter into an agreement with the Office of Regulatory Assistance (ORA) and the project managers of projects of statewide significance for expediting the completion of qualifying projects.  The agreement must require:

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Summary of Bill:

Projects of Statewide Significance.

The types of projects that qualify as projects of statewide significance are expanded to include private industrial developments with private capital investment in:

"Transportation" means a project to improve or repair a highway or road, approaches to a highway, highway ramps, and parking facilities. Transportation does not include conveyance of construction materials.  "Renewable resource" means: (a) wind; (b) solar energy; (c) geothermal energy; (d) landfill gas; (e) gas from sewage treatment facilities; (f) biodiesel fuel that qualifies for a certain business and occupations tax deduction and is not derived from crops raised on land cleared from old growth or first-growth forests where the clearing occurred after December 7, 2006; or (g) biomass energy.

For projects of statewide significance that provide a net environmental benefit, the benefit may be to the state or a region of the state.

Qualifications for Designation.

The job creation criteria for projects other than aviation biofuels production facility projects are modified as follows:

The Director of Commerce may qualify a project as a project of statewide significance if:

City and County Agreements.

A county or city's agreement with the Office of Regulatory Assistance and the project managers is expanded to include completing a coordinated and comprehensive review of a project of statewide significance.  The expedited processing of requests for street, right-of-way, or easement vacations necessary for the construction of the project must be consolidated and include other local administrative permits.  Other actions or items deemed necessary for the design and construction of the project may not alter any agency or local government permitting authority or other existing statutory requirements.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) The bill is an attempt to codify a process that helps expedite and streamline the permitting process for projects of statewide significance, including construction and transportation projects, without changing any regulatory requirements. This process is a useful tool to create jobs in Washington, which helps rural communities where unemployment levels are high and job growth is slower than other areas of the state.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Brown, prime sponsor; Mike Ennis, Association of Washington Business; and Josh Swanson, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.