SENATE BILL REPORT

                   HB 2665

                    As of February 14, 1996

Title:  An act relating to the general policy statement included in the requirement for designating urban growth areas.

Brief Description:  Clarifying the general policy behind regional planning requirements.

Sponsors:  Representative Hargrove.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/21/96.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786-7754)

Background:  The Growth Management Act (GMA) recognizes that counties are regional governments within their boundaries and that cities are primary providers of urban governmental services within urban growth areas. There is concern that this recognition of the division of roles of counties and cities has been interpreted by growth management hearings boards to preclude the respective governments from performing a variety of roles.

Summary of Bill:  The GMA is amended to provide that in general counties are the unit of local government most appropriate to provide regional governmental services and cities are the unit of local government most appropriate to provide urban governmental services.  It is provided that the act does not limit the authority of cities to provide regional services, or the counties or special purpose districts to provide urban governmental services. Local governments are encouraged to use interlocal service agreements to provide urban governmental services.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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