SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6598

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

            Government Operations, February 2, 1996

Title:  An act relating to local permit assistance.

Brief Description:  Providing for local permit assistance.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley, Sheldon, Haugen, Hale, Snyder, Wood, McAuliffe, Finkbeiner, Bauer, Rinehart, Pelz, Franklin, Smith, Drew, Sutherland and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  1/24/96, 2/2/96 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Diane Smith (786-7410)

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6598 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Sheldon, Vice Chair; Goings, Hale, Heavey and Winsley.

Background:  Permit applicants often perceive the permitting process to be labyrinthine and hostile.  There are variations among the counties and cities in the user-friendly character of their permitting counties.  In jurisdictions which have established a counter-assistant position, the permit applicants report having a more positive experience.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Jurisdictions of populations of 10,000 or more that plan under the general planning statutes and under the Growth Management Act (GMA) must designate permit assistance staff.  This staff compiles and maintains a handbook containing lists and explanations of permit laws.  The staff also helps the permit applicant to apply these permit laws to his or her particular project.

The Municipal Research Center and the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED) are directed to provide support and technical assistance to the jurisdictions at their request.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill clarifies that both counties and cities must have populations of 10,000 before the provisions of the bill apply to them.  The local jurisdictions are given access to the resources of the Municipal Resource Council and DCTED in preparing and maintaining the handbook.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  The concept benefits the general public.  The 10,000 population is a workable size.

Testimony Against:  This will be expensive and there is no funding source.

Testified:  Numerous people.