HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1624

                      As Passed House:

                        March 8, 1995

Title:  An act relating to increasing to five years the time after a preliminary plat is approved before a final plat must be submitted for approval.

Brief Description:  Increasing to five years the time after a preliminary plat is approved before a final plat must be submitted for approval.

Sponsors:  Representatives Hymes, Carlson, Brumsickle, Hargrove, Morris, Casada, Buck, Radcliff, Benton, Grant, Reams and Thompson.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Government Operations:  2/17/95, 2/22/95 [DP].

  Floor Activity:

     Passed House:  3/8/95, 95-1.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Reams, Chairman; Goldsmith, Vice Chairman; L. Thomas, Vice Chairman; Rust, Ranking Minority Member; Scott, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chopp; R. Fisher; Hargrove; Honeyford; Hymes; Mulliken; D. Schmidt; Sommers; Van Luven and Wolfe.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:  After a preliminary plat has been approved by a city, town, or county, an applicant has three years to submit a final plat that meets all necessary requirements.  The applicant may obtain a one-year extension if the applicant files a written request to the legislative body at least 30 days before the expiration of the three-year period, and the applicant is able to show that he or she attempted in good faith to submit the final plat within the three-year period.

Summary of Bill:  The time for submitting a final plat to the legislative body of the city, town, or county for approval is increased to five years after the date of preliminary plat approval.  Language authorizing a one-year extension for submission of the final plat is deleted.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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

Testimony For: This will provide more predictability and accountability.  Extensions are routinely being granted now anyway.  This will save time and money.  The ability for local governments to regulate the process is unchanged.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified: Jan Teague and Bill Huyette, Building Industry Association of Washington; Jim Halstrom, Master Builders; and Robin Appelford, King County.