HB 1169
Title: An Act relating to senate confirmation of growth management hearings board members
Brief Description: Requires senate confirmation of governor-appointed growth management hearings board members.
Sponsors: Kessler and Lantz
Hearing Date: January 29, 1997
Background:
Under the Growth Management Act (GMA), each county and each city in counties that meet the GMA's requirements adopts a comprehensive plan that includes a laundry list of elements and subjects set forth in the statute. Counties and cities must also adopt development regulations consistent with the comprehensive plan and must also designate and protect critical areas, designate and conserve certain natural resource lands, and designate urban growth areas.
The GMA created an administrative review process consisting of three regional growth management hearing boards to resolve disputes over comprehensive plans, development regulations, or population projections. The boards hear requests for review of growth management actions taken by counties and cities located in each of the regions the boards represent if a person with standing to request the review files a petition challenging a county or city's comprehensive plan or population projections.
Each board consists of three members who are experienced in land use issues and who reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the applicable board. At least one member of each board must be a Washington attorney, and at least one member must have been a city or county elected official. The Governor appoints each board member for staggered terms of six years, and any vacancies on a board are filled by appointment by the Governor.
Summary of Bill:
In addition to being appointed by the Governor, members of the growth management hearings boards must be confirmed by the senate. Similarly, any vacancies on the boards are filled by appointment by the Governor and are also subject to senate confirmation.
Fiscal Note: None requested