HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2676

                  As Amended by the Senate

Title:  An act relating to economic development related projects of regional or state-wide significance.

Brief Description:  Concerning economic development related projects.

Sponsor(s):  By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Sheldon, Forner, Cantwell, Rasmussen, Ferguson, Wynne, Jacobsen and Carlson).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade & Economic Development, January 30, 1992, DPS;

Passed House, February 18, 1992, 98-0;

Amended by Senate.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Cantwell, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Forner, Ranking Minority Member; Betrozoff, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Ferguson; Kremen; Ludwig; Moyer; Rasmussen; Riley; and Roland.

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan  (786-7340).

Background:  Counties and cities in Washington State can choose or be required to plan under four different planning laws or under inherent authority under their charter.

A majority of counties in Washington State, and cities in these counties, are planning under the Growth Management Act.  The comprehensive plans required under this act are intended to enable the local governments to accommodate expected growth within the jurisdiction.  The local comprehensive plans are also required to be consistent with the plans of adjacent jurisdictions and coordinated regarding regional issues.

Summary of Bill:  Counties and cities, as part of their planning process, may identify economic development related projects of regional or state significance.  The county or city may request that the region plan for the project.  The county or city may seek state technical or financial assistance to help offset the impacts of the project, particularly infrastructure impacts.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S): Provisions are added to allow major industrial developments under the Growth Management Act.  Counties planning under the Growth Management Act may establish a process, in conjunction with cities, for reviewing proposals to site major industrial developments outside urban growth areas.  A major industrial development is defined as a manufacturing or commercial use that requires a parcel of land so large that no appropriate parcel is available in an urban growth area or that requires location near national resource lands.

The criteria for siting a major industrial development in rural areas include providing for new infrastructure and impact fees, providing for transportation needs, providing buffers between the development and rural areas, providing for environmental protection, providing mitigation of adverse impacts on designated natural resource lands, and providing for protection of critical areas. 

An approved major industrial development may become a separate urban growth area.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  Counties and cities and the state should work together to plan for economic development related projects with regional or state-wide significance.  A common database and state technical assistance can help effectively plan for and address impacts, such as necessary infrastructure.  The optional process in this bill encourages coordinated and efficient planning between local, regional, and state agencies.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Paul Roberts, City of Everett (Pro); and Bill Vogler, Washington State Association of Counties (Pro).

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Yeas 98