H-0081.9  _______________________________________________

 

                          HOUSE BILL 1976

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Mitchell, Hankins, Koster, Sherstad and Honeyford

 

Read first time 02/17/97.  Referred to Committee on Capital Budget.

Redistributing funding for community growth.


    AN ACT Relating to redistributing funding for community growth;   amending RCW 36.70A.020, 36.70A.070, 36.70A.350, 36.70B.030, 36.70B.170, 39.92.010, 39.92.020, 39.92.030, 43.21C.060, 58.17.110, 82.02.020, 82.45.060, 82.46.010, 82.46.070, 82.80.010, and 82.80.070; reenacting and amending RCW 82.46.035; adding a new section to chapter 43.21C RCW; adding a new section to chapter 82.46 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 28A RCW; and repealing RCW 39.92.040, 43.21C.065, 82.02.050, 82.02.060, 82.02.070, 82.02.080, 82.02.090, and 82.02.100.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.  (1) The Washington state school capital facilities board is created.

    (2) The board consists of the following members:

    (a) The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee;

    (b) One representative from intermediate school districts, appointed by the governor;

    (c) Four members of local school boards, two from east of the crest of the Cascade mountains and two from west of the crest of the Cascade mountains, selected by the Washington state board of education;

    (d) Four county legislative authority members or commissioners, one from an urban county east of the crest of the Cascade mountains, one from a rural county east of the crest of the Cascade mountains, one from an urban county west of the crest of the Cascade mountains, and one from a rural county west of the crest of the Cascade mountains, selected by an association of counties;

    (e) One representative of the Washington state board of education; and

    (f) The president of a state parent organization.

    (3) Members of the board shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  The board shall determine how the moneys in the excess real estate excise tax school capital construction account is to be divided among the state's school districts in order to provide local levy relief proportionate to the matching state funding to the districts.  The board shall annually determine the amount of funds available in the excess real estate excise tax school capital construction account created under section 3 of this act and the amount of state funds appropriated to match local school construction funds in accordance with the state priority criteria developed under section 30(8), chapter 14, Laws of 1991 sp. sess., as WAC 180-27-500 through 180-27-990.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  The excess real estate excise tax school capital construction account is created in the state treasury.  All receipts from section 17 of this act must be deposited in the account.  Expenditures from the account may be used only for school construction, renovation, and remodeling.  Only the Washington state school capital facilities board may authorize expenditures from the account.  The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.

 

    Sec. 4.  RCW 36.70A.020 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    The following goals are adopted to guide the development and adoption of comprehensive plans and development regulations of those counties and cities that are required or choose to plan under RCW 36.70A.040.  The following goals are not listed in order of priority and shall be used exclusively for the purpose of guiding the development of comprehensive plans and development regulations:

    (1) Urban growth.  Encourage development in urban areas where adequate public facilities and services exist or can be provided in an efficient manner.

    (2) Reduce sprawl.  Reduce the inappropriate conversion of undeveloped land into sprawling, low-density development.

    (3) Transportation.  Encourage efficient multimodal transportation systems that are based on regional priorities and coordinated with county and city comprehensive plans.

    (4) Housing.  Encourage the availability of affordable housing to all economic segments of the population of this state, promote a variety of residential densities and housing types, and encourage preservation of existing housing stock.

    (5) Economic development.  Encourage economic development throughout the state that is consistent with adopted comprehensive plans, promote economic opportunity for all citizens of this state, especially for unemployed and for disadvantaged persons, and encourage growth in areas experiencing insufficient economic growth, all within the capacities of the state's natural resources, public services, and public facilities.

    (6) Property rights.  Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation having been made.  The property rights of landowners shall be protected from arbitrary and discriminatory actions.

    (7) Permits.  Applications for both state and local government permits should be processed in a timely and fair manner to ensure predictability.

    (8) Natural resource industries.  Maintain and enhance natural resource-based industries, including productive timber, agricultural, and fisheries industries.  Encourage the conservation of productive forest lands and productive agricultural lands, and discourage incompatible uses.

    (9) Open space and recreation.  Encourage the retention of open space and development of recreational opportunities, conserve fish and wildlife habitat, increase access to natural resource lands and water, and develop parks.

    (10) Environment.  Protect the environment and enhance the state's high quality of life, including air and water quality, and the availability of water.

    (11) Citizen participation and coordination.  Encourage the involvement of citizens in the planning process and ensure coordination between communities and jurisdictions to reconcile conflicts.

    (12) Public facilities and services.  Ensure that those public facilities and services necessary to support development shall be adequate to serve the development ((at the time the development is available for occupancy and use)) without decreasing current service levels below locally established minimum standards.

    (13) Historic preservation.  Identify and encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures, that have historical or archaeological significance.

 

    Sec. 5.  RCW 36.70A.070 and 1996 c 239 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    The comprehensive plan of a county or city that is required or chooses to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 shall consist of a map or maps, and descriptive text covering objectives, principles, and standards used to develop the comprehensive plan.  The plan shall be an internally consistent document and all elements shall be consistent with the future land use map.  A comprehensive plan shall be adopted and amended with public participation as provided in RCW 36.70A.140.  The plans shall not include impact fees.

    Each comprehensive plan shall include a plan, scheme, or design for each of the following:

    (1) A land use element designating the proposed general distribution and general location and extent of the uses of land, where appropriate, for agriculture, timber production, housing, commerce, industry, recreation, open spaces, general aviation airports, public utilities, public facilities, and other land uses.  The land use element shall include population densities, building intensities, and estimates of future population growth.  The land use element shall provide for protection of the quality and quantity of ground water used for public water supplies.  Where applicable, the land use element shall review drainage, flooding, and storm water run-off in the area and nearby jurisdictions and provide guidance for corrective actions to mitigate or cleanse those discharges that pollute waters of the state, including Puget Sound or waters entering Puget Sound.

    (2) A housing element ensuring the vitality and character of established residential neighborhoods that:  (a) Includes an inventory and analysis of existing and projected housing needs; (b) includes a statement of goals, policies, objectives, and mandatory provisions for the preservation, improvement, and development of housing, including single-family residences; (c) identifies sufficient land for housing, including, but not limited to, government-assisted housing, housing for low-income families, manufactured housing, multifamily housing, and group homes and foster care facilities; and (d) makes adequate provisions for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community.

    (3) A capital facilities plan element consisting of:  (a) An inventory of existing capital facilities owned by public entities, showing the locations and capacities of the capital facilities; (b) a forecast of the future needs for such capital facilities; (c) the proposed locations and capacities of expanded or new capital facilities; (d) at least a six-year plan that will finance such capital facilities within projected funding capacities and clearly identifies sources of public money for such purposes; and (e) a requirement to reassess the land use element if probable funding falls short of meeting existing needs and to ensure that the land use element, capital facilities plan element, and financing plan within the capital facilities plan element are coordinated and consistent.

    (4) A utilities element consisting of the general location, proposed location, and capacity of all existing and proposed utilities, including, but not limited to, electrical lines, telecommunication lines, and natural gas lines.

    (5) Counties shall include a rural element including lands that are not designated for urban growth, agriculture, forest, or mineral resources.  The rural element shall permit appropriate land uses that are compatible with the rural character of such lands and provide for a variety of rural densities and uses and may also provide for clustering, density transfer, design guidelines, conservation easements, and other innovative techniques that will accommodate appropriate rural uses not characterized by urban growth.

    (6) A transportation element that implements, and is consistent with, the land use element.  The transportation element shall include the following subelements:

    (a) Land use assumptions used in estimating travel;

    (b) Facilities and services needs, including:

    (i) An inventory of air, water, and ground transportation facilities and services, including transit alignments and general aviation airport facilities, to define existing capital facilities and travel levels as a basis for future planning;

    (ii) Level of service standards for all arterials and transit routes to serve as a gauge to judge performance of the system.  These standards should be regionally coordinated;

    (iii) Specific actions and requirements for bringing into compliance any facilities or services that are below an established level of service standard;

    (iv) Forecasts of traffic for at least ten years based on the adopted land use plan to provide information on the location, timing, and capacity needs of future growth;

    (v) Identification of system expansion needs and transportation system management needs to meet current and future demands;

    (c) Finance, including:

    (i) An analysis of funding capability to judge needs against probable funding resources;

    (ii) A multiyear financing plan based on the needs identified in the comprehensive plan, the appropriate parts of which shall serve as the basis for the six-year street, road, or transit program required by RCW 35.77.010 for cities, RCW 36.81.121 for counties, and RCW 35.58.2795 for public transportation systems;

    (iii) If probable funding falls short of meeting identified needs, a discussion of how additional funding will be raised, or how land use assumptions will be reassessed to ensure that level of service standards will be met;

    (d) Intergovernmental coordination efforts, including an assessment of the impacts of the transportation plan and land use assumptions on the transportation systems of adjacent jurisdictions;

    (e) Demand-management strategies.

    After adoption of the comprehensive plan by jurisdictions required to plan or who choose to plan under RCW 36.70A.040, local jurisdictions ((must adopt and enforce ordinances which prohibit development approval if the development causes the level of service on a transportation facility to decline below the standards adopted in the transportation element of the comprehensive plan, unless transportation improvements or strategies to accommodate the impacts of development are made concurrent with the development.  These)) may provide strategies ((may)) that include increased public transportation service, ride sharing programs, demand management, and other transportation systems management strategies.  ((For the purposes of this subsection (6) "concurrent with the development" shall mean that improvements or strategies are in place at the time of development, or that a financial commitment is in place to complete the improvements or strategies within six years.))

    The transportation element described in this subsection, and the six-year plans required by RCW 35.77.010 for cities, RCW 36.81.121 for counties, and RCW 35.58.2795 for public transportation systems, must be consistent.

 

    Sec. 6.  RCW 36.70A.350 and 1991 sp.s. c 32 s 16 are each amended to read as follows:

    A county required or choosing to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 may establish a process as part of its urban growth areas, that are designated under RCW 36.70A.110, for reviewing proposals to authorize new fully contained communities located outside of the initially designated urban growth areas.

    (1) A new fully contained community may be approved in a county planning under this chapter if criteria including but not limited to the following are met:

    (a) New infrastructure is provided for ((and impact fees are established consistent with the requirements of RCW 82.02.050));

    (b) Transit-oriented site planning and traffic demand management programs are implemented;

    (c) Buffers are provided between the new fully contained communities and adjacent urban development;

    (d) A mix of uses is provided to offer jobs, housing, and services to the residents of the new community;

    (e) Affordable housing is provided within the new community for a broad range of income levels;

    (f) Environmental protection has been addressed and provided for;

    (g) Development regulations are established to ensure urban growth will not occur in adjacent nonurban areas;

    (h) Provision is made to mitigate impacts on designated agricultural lands, forest lands, and mineral resource lands;

    (i) The plan for the new fully contained community is consistent with the development regulations established for the protection of critical areas by the county pursuant to RCW 36.70A.170.

    (2) New fully contained communities may be approved outside established urban growth areas only if a county reserves a portion of the twenty-year population projection and offsets the urban growth area accordingly for allocation to new fully contained communities that meet the requirements of this chapter.  Any county electing to establish a new community reserve shall do so no more often than once every five years as a part of the designation or review of urban growth areas required by this chapter.  The new community reserve shall be allocated on a project-by-project basis, only after specific project approval procedures have been adopted pursuant to this chapter as a development regulation.  When a new community reserve is established, urban growth areas designated pursuant to this chapter shall accommodate the unreserved portion of the twenty-year population projection.

    Final approval of an application for a new fully contained community shall be considered an adopted amendment to the comprehensive plan prepared pursuant to RCW 36.70A.070 designating the new fully contained community as an urban growth area.

 

    Sec. 7.  RCW 36.70B.030 and 1995 c 347 s 404 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Fundamental land use planning choices made in adopted comprehensive plans and development regulations shall serve as the foundation for project review.  The review of a proposed project's consistency with applicable development regulations, or in the absence of applicable regulations the adopted comprehensive plan, under RCW 36.70B.040 shall incorporate the determinations under this section.

    (2) During project review, a local government or any subsequent reviewing body shall determine whether the items listed in this subsection are defined in the development regulations applicable to the proposed project or, in the absence of applicable regulations the adopted comprehensive plan.  At a minimum, such applicable regulations or plans shall be determinative of the:

    (a) Type of land use permitted at the site, including uses that may be allowed under certain circumstances, such as planned unit developments and conditional and special uses, if the criteria for their approval have been satisfied;

    (b) Density of residential development in urban growth areas; and

    (c) Availability and adequacy of public facilities identified in the comprehensive plan, if the plan or development regulations provide for funding of these facilities as required by chapter 36.70A RCW.

    (3) During project review, the local government or any subsequent reviewing body shall not reexamine alternatives to or hear appeals on the items identified in subsection (2) of this section, except for issues of code interpretation.  As part of its project review process, a local government shall provide a procedure for obtaining a code interpretation as provided in RCW 36.70B.110.

    (4) Pursuant to RCW 43.21C.240, a local government may determine that the requirements for environmental analysis and mitigation measures in development regulations and other applicable laws provide adequate mitigation for some or all of the project's specific adverse environmental impacts to which the requirements apply.

    (5) Nothing in this section limits the authority of a permitting agency to approve, condition, or deny a project as provided in its development regulations adopted under chapter 36.70A RCW and in its policies adopted under RCW 43.21C.060.  Project review shall be used to identify specific project design and conditions relating to the character of development, such as the details of site plans, curb cuts, drainage swales, transportation demand management, ((the payment of impact fees,)) or other measures to mitigate a proposal's probable adverse environmental impacts, if applicable.

    (6) Subsections (1) through (4) of this section apply only to local governments planning under RCW 36.70A.040.

 

    Sec. 8.  RCW 36.70B.170 and 1995 c 347 s 502 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) A local government may enter into a development agreement with a person having ownership or control of real property within its jurisdiction.  A city may enter into a development agreement for real property outside its boundaries as part of a proposed annexation or a service agreement.  A development agreement must set forth the development standards and other provisions that shall apply to and govern and vest the development, use, and mitigation of the development of the real property for the duration specified in the agreement.  A development agreement shall be consistent with applicable development regulations adopted by a local government planning under chapter 36.70A RCW.

    (2) RCW 36.70B.170 through 36.70B.190 and section 501, chapter 347, Laws of 1995 do not affect the validity of a contract rezone, concomitant agreement, annexation agreement, or other agreement in existence on July 23, 1995, or adopted under separate authority, that includes some or all of the development standards provided in subsection (3) of this section.

    (3) For the purposes of this section, "development standards" includes, but is not limited to:

    (a) Project elements such as permitted uses, residential densities, and nonresidential densities and intensities or building sizes;

    (b) ((The amount and payment of impact fees imposed or agreed to in accordance with any applicable provisions of state law,)) Any reimbursement provisions, other financial contributions by the property owner, inspection fees, or dedications;

    (c) Mitigation measures, development conditions, and other requirements under chapter 43.21C RCW;

    (d) Design standards such as maximum heights, setbacks, drainage and water quality requirements, landscaping, and other development features;

    (e) Affordable housing;

    (f) Parks and open space preservation;

    (g) Phasing;

    (h) Review procedures and standards for implementing decisions;

    (i) A build-out or vesting period for applicable standards; and

    (j) Any other appropriate development requirement or procedure.

    (4) The execution of a development agreement is a proper exercise of county and city police power and contract authority.  A development agreement may obligate a party to fund or provide on-site services, on-site infrastructure, or other on-site facilities.  A development agreement shall reserve authority to impose new or different regulations to the extent required by a serious threat to public health and safety.

 

    Sec. 9.  RCW 39.92.010 and 1988 c 179 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    The legislature finds that there is an increasing need for local and regional transportation improvements as the result of both existing demands and the foreseeable future demands from economic growth and development within the state, including residential, commercial, and industrial development.

    The legislature intends with this chapter to enable local governments to develop and adopt programs for the purpose of jointly funding, from public and private sources, transportation improvements necessitated in whole or in part by economic development and growth within their respective jurisdictions.  The programs should provide a fair and predictable method for allocating the cost of necessary transportation improvements between the public and private sectors.  The programs should include consideration of public transportation as a method of reducing off-site transportation impacts from development.  The legislature finds that the private funds authorized to be collected pursuant to this chapter are for the purpose of mitigating the impacts of development and are not taxes.  The state shall encourage and give priority to the state funding of local and regional transportation improvements that are funded in part by local, public, and private funds.

    The authority provided by this chapter, RCW 35.43.182 through 35.43.188, and 36.88.072 through 36.88.078 for local governments to create and implement local transportation programs is intended to be supplemental, except as expressly provided in RCW ((39.92.030(9),)) 82.02.020((,)) and 36.73.120, to the existing authorities and responsibilities of local governments to regulate development and provide public facilities.

 

    Sec. 10.  RCW 39.92.020 and 1988 c 179 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter.

    (1) "Developer" means an individual, group of individuals, partnership, corporation, association, municipal corporation, state agency, or other person undertaking development and their successors and assigns.

    (2) "Development" means the subdivision or short platting of land or the construction or reconstruction of residential, commercial, industrial, public, or any other building, building space, or land.

    (3) "Direct result of the proposed development" means those quantifiable transportation impacts that are caused by vehicles or pedestrians whose trip origin or destination is the proposed development.

    (4) "Local government" means all counties, cities, and towns in the state of Washington and transportation benefit districts created pursuant to chapter 36.73 RCW.

    (5) "Off-site transportation improvements" means those transportation capital improvements designated in the local plan adopted under this chapter that are authorized to be undertaken by local government and that serve the transportation needs of more than one development.

    (6) (("Transportation impact fee" means a monetary charge imposed on new development for the purpose of mitigating off-site transportation impacts that are a direct result of the proposed development.

    (7))) "Fair market value" means the price in terms of money that a property will bring in a competitive and open market under all conditions of a fair sale, the buyer and seller each prudently knowledgeable, and assuming the price is not affected by undue stimulus, measured at the time of the dedication to local government of land or improved transportation facilities.

 

    Sec. 11.  RCW 39.92.030 and 1988 c 179 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    Local governments may develop and adopt programs for the purpose of jointly funding, from public and private sources, transportation improvements necessitated in whole or in part by economic development and growth within their respective jurisdictions.  Local governments shall adopt the programs by ordinance after notice and public hearing.  Each program shall contain the elements described in this section.

    (1) ((The program shall identify the geographic boundaries of the entire area or areas generally benefited by the proposed off-site transportation improvements and within which transportation impact fees will be imposed under this chapter.

    (2))) The program shall be based on an adopted comprehensive, long-term transportation plan identifying the proposed off-site transportation improvements reasonable and necessary to meet the future growth needs of the designated plan area and intended to be covered by this joint funding program, including acquisition of right of way, construction and reconstruction of all major and minor arterials and intersection improvements, and identifying design standards, levels of service, capacities, and costs applicable to the program.  The program shall also indicate how the transportation plan is coordinated with applicable transportation plans for the region and for adjacent jurisdictions.  The program shall also indicate how public transportation and ride-sharing improvements and services will be used to reduce off-site transportation impacts from development.

    (((3))) (2) The program shall include at least a six-year capital funding program, updated annually, identifying the specific public sources and amounts of revenue necessary to pay for that portion of the cost of all off-site transportation improvements contained in the transportation plan ((that will not foreseeably be funded by transportation impact fees)).  The program shall include a proposed schedule for construction and expenditures of funds.  The funding plan shall consider the additional local tax revenue estimated to be generated by new development within the plan area if all or a portion of the additional revenue is proposed to be earmarked as future appropriations for such off-site transportation improvements.

    (((4) The program shall authorize transportation impact fees to be imposed on new development within the plan area for the purpose of providing a portion of the funding for reasonable and necessary off-site transportation improvements to solve the cumulative impacts of planned growth and development in the plan area.  Off-site transportation impacts shall be measured as a pro rata share of the capacity of the off-site transportation improvements being funded under the program.  The fees shall not exceed the amount that the local government can demonstrate is reasonably necessary as a direct result of the proposed development.

    (5) The program shall provide that the funds collected as a result of a particular new development shall be used in substantial part to pay for improvements mitigating the impacts of the development or be refunded to the property owners of record.  Fees paid toward more than one transportation improvement may be pooled and expended on any one of the improvements mitigating the impact of the development.  The funds shall be expended in all cases within six years of collection by the local government or the unexpended funds shall be refunded.

    (6) The program shall also describe the formula, timing, security, credits, and other terms and conditions affecting the amount and method of payment of the transportation impact fees as further provided for in RCW 39.92.040.  In calculating the amount of the fee, local government shall consider and give credit for the developer's participation in public transportation and ride-sharing improvements and services.

    (7) The administrative element of the program shall include:  An opportunity for administrative appeal by the developer and hearing before an independent examiner of the amount of the transportation impact fee imposed; establishment of a designated account for the public and private funds appropriated or collected for the transportation improvements identified in the plan; methods to enforce collection of the public and private funds identified in the program; designation of the administrative departments or other entities responsible for administering the program, including determination of fee amounts, transportation planning, and construction; and provisions for future amendment of the program including the addition of other off-site transportation improvements.  The program shall not be amended in a manner to relieve local government of any contractual obligations made to prior developers.

    (8) The program shall provide that private transportation impact fees shall not be collected for any off-site transportation improvement that is incapable of being reasonably carried out because of lack of public funds or other foreseeable impediment.

    (9) The program shall provide that no transportation impact fee may be imposed on a development by local government pursuant to this program when mitigation of the same off-site transportation impacts for the development is being required by any government agency pursuant to any other local, state, or federal law.))

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12.  A new section is added to chapter 43.21C RCW to read as follows:

    All branches of government of this state, including state agencies, municipal and public corporations, and counties, may not require mitigation or impact fees, or both.  All mitigation fees and impact fees under this chapter are eliminated as of the effective date of this section.

 

    Sec. 13.  RCW 43.21C.060 and 1983 c 117 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    The policies and goals set forth in this chapter are supplementary to those set forth in existing authorizations of all branches of government of this state, including state agencies, municipal and public corporations, and counties.  Any governmental action may be conditioned or denied pursuant to this chapter:  PROVIDED, That such conditions or denials shall be based upon policies identified by the appropriate governmental authority and incorporated into regulations, plans, or codes which are formally designated by the agency (or appropriate legislative body, in the case of local government) as possible bases for the exercise of authority pursuant to this chapter.  Such designation shall occur at the time specified by RCW 43.21C.120.  Such action may be conditioned only to mitigate specific adverse environmental impacts which are identified in the environmental documents prepared under this chapter.  These conditions shall be stated in writing by the decisionmaker.  Mitigation measures shall be reasonable and capable of being accomplished.  In order to deny a proposal under this chapter, an agency must find that:  (1) The proposal would result in significant adverse impacts identified in a final or supplemental environmental impact statement prepared under this chapter; and (2) reasonable mitigation measures are insufficient to mitigate the identified impact.  Except for permits and variances issued pursuant to chapter 90.58 RCW, when such a governmental action, not requiring a legislative decision, is conditioned or denied by a nonelected official of a local governmental agency, the decision shall be appealable to the legislative authority of the acting local governmental agency unless that legislative authority formally eliminates such appeals.  Such appeals shall be in accordance with procedures established for such appeals by the legislative authority of the acting local governmental agency.  A city or county that has imposed the taxes authorized in either or both RCW 82.46.010 and 82.46.035 may not impose impact or mitigation fees under this chapter.  Imposition of the taxes constitutes full and complete compliance with this chapter for the provision of any public facility or service required.

 

    Sec. 14.  RCW 58.17.110 and 1995 c 32 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The city, town, or county legislative body shall inquire into the public use and interest proposed to be served by the establishment of the subdivision and dedication.  It shall determine:  (a) If appropriate provisions are made for, but not limited to, the public health, safety, and general welfare, for open spaces, drainage ways, streets or roads, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and schoolgrounds, and shall consider all other relevant facts, including sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school; and (b) whether the public interest will be served by the subdivision and dedication.

    (2) A proposed subdivision and dedication shall not be approved unless the city, town, or county legislative body makes written findings that:  (a) Appropriate provisions are made for the public health, safety, and general welfare and for such open spaces, drainage ways, streets or roads, alleys, other public ways, transit stops, potable water supplies, sanitary wastes, parks and recreation, playgrounds, schools and schoolgrounds and all other relevant facts, including sidewalks and other planning features that assure safe walking conditions for students who only walk to and from school; and (b) the public use and interest will be served by the platting of such subdivision and dedication.  If it finds that the proposed subdivision and dedication make such appropriate provisions and that the public use and interest will be served, then the legislative body shall approve the proposed subdivision and dedication.  ((Dedication of land to any public body, provision of public improvements to serve the subdivision, and/or impact fees imposed under RCW 82.02.050 through 82.02.090 may be required as a condition of subdivision approval.)) Counties, cities, and towns that have imposed the taxes in either or both RCW 82.46.010 and 82.46.035 may not impose impact fees under this chapter, and imposition of the taxes constitutes full and complete compliance with this chapter or any other statute or rule for the provision of any public facility or service required.  Dedications shall be clearly shown on the final plat.  No dedication((,)) or provision of public improvements((, or impact fees imposed under RCW 82.02.050 through 82.02.090)) shall be allowed that constitutes an unconstitutional taking of private property.  The legislative body shall not as a condition to the approval of any subdivision require a release from damages to be procured from other property owners.

    (3) If the preliminary plat includes a dedication of a public park with an area of less than two acres and the donor has designated that the park be named in honor of a deceased individual of good character, the city, town, or county legislative body must adopt the designated name.

 

    Sec. 15.  RCW 82.02.020 and 1996 c 230 s 1612 are each amended to read as follows:

    Except only as expressly provided in RCW 67.28.180 and 67.28.190 and the provisions of chapter 82.14 RCW, the state preempts the field of imposing taxes upon retail sales of tangible personal property, the use of tangible personal property, parimutuel wagering authorized pursuant to RCW 67.16.060, conveyances, and cigarettes, and no county, town, or other municipal subdivision shall have the right to impose taxes of that nature.  ((Except as provided in RCW 82.02.050 through 82.02.090,)) No county, city, town, or other municipal corporation shall impose any tax, fee, or charge, either direct or indirect, on the construction or reconstruction of residential buildings, commercial buildings, industrial buildings, or on any other building or building space or appurtenance thereto, or on the development, subdivision, classification, or reclassification of land.  However, this section does not preclude dedications of land or easements within the proposed development or plat which the county, city, town, or other municipal corporation can demonstrate are reasonably necessary as a direct result of the proposed development or plat to which the dedication of land or easement is to apply.

    ((This section does not prohibit voluntary agreements with counties, cities, towns, or other municipal corporations that allow a payment in lieu of a dedication of land or to mitigate a direct impact that has been identified as a consequence of a proposed development, subdivision, or plat.  A local government shall not use such voluntary agreements for local off-site transportation improvements within the geographic boundaries of the area or areas covered by an adopted transportation program authorized by chapter 39.92 RCW.  Any such voluntary agreement is subject to the following provisions:

    (1) The payment shall be held in a reserve account and may only be expended to fund a capital improvement agreed upon by the parties to mitigate the identified, direct impact;

    (2) The payment shall be expended in all cases within five years of collection; and

    (3) Any payment not so expended shall be refunded with interest at the rate applied to judgments to the property owners of record at the time of the refund; however, if the payment is not expended within five years due to delay attributable to the developer, the payment shall be refunded without interest.

    No county, city, town, or other municipal corporation shall require any payment as part of such a voluntary agreement which the county, city, town, or other municipal corporation cannot establish is reasonably necessary as a direct result of the proposed development or plat.))

    Nothing in this section prohibits cities, towns, counties, or other municipal corporations from collecting reasonable fees from an applicant for a permit or other governmental approval to cover the cost to the city, town, county, or other municipal corporation of processing applications, inspecting and reviewing plans, or preparing detailed statements required by chapter 43.21C RCW.

    This section does not limit the existing authority of any county, city, town, or other municipal corporation to impose special assessments on property specifically benefitted thereby in the manner prescribed by law.

    Nothing in this section prohibits counties, cities, or towns from imposing or permits counties, cities, or towns to impose water, sewer, natural gas, drainage utility, and drainage system charges:  PROVIDED, That ((no such charge shall exceed the proportionate share of)) such utility or system's capital costs ((which the county, city, or town can demonstrate are attributable to the property being charged:  PROVIDED FURTHER, That these provisions shall not be interpreted to expand or contract any existing authority of counties, cities, or towns to impose such charges)) or any capacity charges must be recovered using rate-based user charges and such utility or system may not charge hookup fees that are above actual physical connection costs.

    Nothing in this section prohibits a transportation benefit district from imposing fees or charges authorized in RCW 36.73.120 nor prohibits the legislative authority of a county, city, or town from approving the imposition of such fees within a transportation benefit district.

    Nothing in this section prohibits counties, cities, or towns from imposing transportation impact fees authorized pursuant to chapter 39.92 RCW.

    Nothing in this section prohibits counties, cities, or towns from requiring property owners to provide relocation assistance to tenants under RCW 59.18.440 and 59.18.450.

    This section does not apply to special purpose districts formed and acting pursuant to Titles 54, 57, or 87 RCW, nor is the authority conferred by these titles affected.

 

    Sec. 16.  RCW 82.45.060 and 1987 c 472 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) There is imposed an excise tax upon each sale of real property at the rate of one and ((twenty-eight one-hundredths)) one hundred fifty-two one-thousandths percent of the selling price.

    (2) An amount equal to seven and seven-tenths percent of the proceeds of this tax to the state treasurer shall be deposited in the public works assistance account created in RCW 43.155.050.

    (((2) There is imposed an additional excise tax through June 30, 1989, upon each sale of real property at the rate of six one-hundredths of one percent of the selling price.  The tax imposed under this subsection shall be deposited in the conservation area account under RCW 79.71.110.))

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 17.  A new section is added to chapter 82.46 RCW to read as follows:

    The legislative authority of any county shall, if requested to do so by the school districts representing the majority of the students in the county, impose an additional excise tax on each sale of real property in the county at a rate of one hundred twenty-eight one-thousandths percent of the selling price.  The proceeds of this tax shall be deposited in the excess real estate excise tax school capital construction account created under section 3 of this act.

 

    Sec. 18.  RCW 82.46.010 and 1994 c 272 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The legislative authority of any county or city shall identify in the ((adopted budget the capital projects)) capital facilities plan required in RCW 36.70A.070(3) the public facilities defined in subsection (6) of this section funded in whole or in part from the proceeds of the tax authorized in this section, and shall indicate that such tax is intended to be in addition to other funds that may be reasonably available for such capital projects.

    (2) The legislative authority of any county or any city may impose an excise tax on each sale of real property in the unincorporated areas of the county for the county tax and in the corporate limits of the city for the city tax at a rate not exceeding one-quarter of one percent of the selling price.  The revenues from this tax shall be used by any city or county with a population of five thousand or less and any city or county that does not plan under RCW 36.70A.040 for any capital purpose identified in a capital improvements plan and local capital improvements, including those listed in RCW 35.43.040.

    After April 30, 1992, revenues generated from the tax imposed under this subsection in counties over five thousand population and cities over five thousand population that are required or choose to plan under RCW 36.70A.040 shall be used solely for financing capital projects specified in a capital facilities plan element of a comprehensive plan ((and housing relocation assistance under RCW 59.18.440 and 59.18.450)).  However, revenues (a) pledged by such counties and cities to debt retirement prior to April 30, 1992, may continue to be used for that purpose until the original debt for which the revenues were pledged is retired, or (b) committed prior to April 30, 1992, by such counties or cities to a project may continue to be used for that purpose until the project is completed.

    (3) In lieu of imposing the tax authorized in RCW 82.14.030(2), the legislative authority of any county or any city may impose an additional excise tax on each sale of real property in the unincorporated areas of the county for the county tax and in the corporate limits of the city for the city tax at a rate not exceeding one-half of one percent of the selling price.

    (4) Taxes imposed under this section shall be collected from persons who are taxable by the state under chapter 82.45 RCW upon the occurrence of any taxable event within the unincorporated areas of the county or within the corporate limits of the city, as the case may be.

    (5) Taxes imposed under this section shall comply with all applicable rules, regulations, laws, and court decisions regarding real estate excise taxes as imposed by the state under chapter 82.45 RCW.

    (6) As used in this section, "city" means any city or town and (("capital project" means those public works projects of a local government for planning, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, rehabilitation, or improvement of streets; roads; highways; sidewalks; street and road lighting systems; traffic signals; bridges; domestic water systems; storm and sanitary sewer systems; parks; recreational facilities; law enforcement facilities; fire protection facilities; trails; libraries; administrative and/or judicial facilities; river and/or)) "public facilities" mean the following capital facilities owned or operated by government entities:  (a) Domestic water systems, storm and sanitary sewer systems, and drainage systems; (b) publicly owned parks, open space, and recreational facilities; (c) fire protection facilities in jurisdictions that are not a part of a fire district; and (d) waterway flood control projects by those jurisdictions that, prior to June 11, 1992, have expended funds derived from the tax authorized by this section for such purposes((; and, until December 31, 1995, housing projects for those jurisdictions that, prior to June 11, 1992, have expended or committed to expend funds derived from the tax authorized by this section or the tax authorized by RCW 82.46.035 for such purposes)).

    (7) If a legislative authority of a county or city imposes an excise tax under this section, the legislative authority may not require any impact fees or concurrency requirements.

 

    Sec. 19.  RCW 82.46.035 and 1992 c 221 s 3 and 1991 sp.s. c 32 s 33 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    (1) The legislative authority of any county or city shall identify in the adopted budget the capital projects funded in whole or in part from the proceeds of the tax authorized in this section, and shall indicate that such tax is intended to be in addition to other funds that may be reasonably available for such capital projects.

    (2) The legislative authority of any county or any city that plans under RCW 36.70A.040(1) may impose an additional excise tax on each sale of real property in the unincorporated areas of the county for the county tax and in the corporate limits of the city for the city tax at a rate not exceeding one-quarter of one percent of the selling price.  Any county choosing to plan under RCW 36.70A.040(2) and any city within such a county may only adopt an ordinance imposing the excise tax authorized by this section if the ordinance is first authorized by a proposition approved by a majority of the voters of the taxing district voting on the proposition at a general election held within the district or at a special election within the taxing district called by the district for the purpose of submitting such proposition to the voters.

    (3) Revenues generated from the tax imposed under subsection (2) of this section shall be used by such counties and cities solely for financing ((capital projects)) public facilities specified in a capital facilities plan element of a comprehensive plan.  However, revenues (a) pledged by such counties and cities to debt retirement prior to March 1, 1992, may continue to be used for that purpose until the original debt for which the revenues were pledged is retired, or (b) committed prior to March 1, 1992, by such counties or cities to a project may continue to be used for that purpose until the project is completed.

    (4) Revenues generated by the tax imposed by this section shall be deposited in a separate account.

    (5) As used in this section, "city" means any city or town and (("capital project" means those public works projects of a local government for planning, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair, replacement, rehabilitation, or improvement of streets, roads, highways, sidewalks, street and road lighting systems, traffic signals, bridges,)) "public facilities" mean the following capital facilities owned or operated by governmental entities:  (a) Domestic water systems, storm and sanitary sewer systems((, and planning, construction, reconstruction, repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of parks.

    (6) When the governor files a notice of noncompliance under RCW 36.70A.340 with the secretary of state and the appropriate county or city, the county or city's authority to impose the additional excise tax under this section shall be temporarily rescinded until the governor files a subsequent notice rescinding the notice of noncompliance)) and drainage systems; (b) publicly owned parks, open space, and recreational facilities; and (c) fire protection facilities in jurisdictions that are not part of a fire district.

    (6) If a legislative authority of a county or city imposes an excise tax under this section, the legislative authority may not require any impact fees or concurrency requirements.

 

    Sec. 20.  RCW 82.46.070 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 5 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the legislative authority of any county may impose an additional excise tax on each sale of real property in the county at a rate not to exceed one percent of the selling price.  The proceeds of the tax shall be used exclusively for the acquisition and maintenance of conservation areas.

    The taxes imposed under this subsection shall be imposed in the same manner and on the same occurrences, and are subject to the same conditions, as the taxes under chapter 82.45 RCW, except:

    (a) The tax shall be the obligation of the purchaser; and

    (b) The tax does not apply to the acquisition of conservation areas by the county.

    The county may enforce the obligation through an action of debt against the purchaser or may foreclose the lien on the property in the same manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages.

    The tax shall take effect thirty days after the election at which the taxes are authorized.

    (2) No tax may be imposed under subsection (1) of this section unless approved by a majority of the voters of the county voting thereon for a specified period and maximum rate after:

    (a) The adoption of a resolution by the county legislative authority of the county proposing this action; or

    (b) The filing of a petition proposing this action with the county auditor, which petition is signed by county voters at least equal in number to ten percent of the total number of voters in the county who voted at the last preceding general election.

    The ballot proposition shall be submitted to the voters of the county at the next general election occurring at least sixty days after a petition is filed, or at any special election prior to this general election that has been called for such purpose by the county legislative authority.

    (3) A plan for the expenditure of the excise tax proceeds shall be prepared by the county legislative authority at least sixty days before the election if the proposal is initiated by resolution of the county legislative authority, or within six months after the tax has been authorized by the voters if the proposal is initiated by petition.  Prior to the adoption of this plan, the elected officials of cities located within the county shall be consulted and a public hearing shall be held to obtain public input.  The proceeds of this excise tax must be expended in conformance with this plan.

    (4) As used in this section, "conservation area" has the meaning given under RCW 36.32.570.

    (5) This section applies only to counties that imposed a tax under this section by January 1, 1997.

 

    Sec. 21.  RCW 82.80.010 and 1991 c 339 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Subject to the conditions of this section, any county may levy, by approval of its legislative ((body and a majority of the registered voters of the county voting on the proposition at a general or special election)) authority, additional excise taxes ((equal)) up to ((ten)) twenty-five percent of the state-wide motor vehicle fuel tax rate under RCW 82.36.025 on each gallon of motor vehicle fuel as defined in RCW 82.36.010(2) and on each gallon of special fuel as defined in RCW 82.38.020(5) sold within the boundaries of the county.  Vehicles paying an annual license fee under RCW 82.38.075 are exempt from the county fuel excise tax.  ((An election held under this section must be held not more than twelve months before the date on which the proposed tax is to be levied.  The ballot setting forth the proposition shall state the tax rate that is proposed.))  The county's authority to levy additional excise taxes under this section includes the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county.  The additional excise taxes are subject to the same exceptions and rights of refund as applicable to other motor vehicle fuel and special fuel excise taxes levied under chapters 82.36 and 82.38 RCW.  The proposed tax shall not be levied less than one month from the date ((the election results are certified by the county election officer)) of approval by the county legislative authority.  The commencement date for the levy of any tax under this section shall be the first day of January, April, July, or October.

    (2) Every person subject to the tax shall pay, in addition to any other taxes provided by law, an additional excise tax to the director of licensing at the rate levied by a county exercising its authority under this section.

    (3) The state treasurer shall distribute monthly to the levying county and cities contained therein the proceeds of the additional excise taxes collected under this section, after the deductions for payments and expenditures as provided in RCW 46.68.090 (1) and (2) and under the conditions and limitations provided in RCW 82.80.080.

    (4) The proceeds of the additional excise taxes levied under this section shall be used strictly for ((transportation purposes in accordance with RCW 82.80.070)) the following:  The operation and preservation of roads, streets, and other transportation improvements; new construction, reconstruction, and expansion of city streets, county roads, and other transportation improvements; and planning, design, and acquisition of right of way and sites for such transportation purposes.  The proceeds collected from excise taxes on the sale, distribution, or use of motor vehicle fuel and special fuel under this section shall be used exclusively for "highway purposes" as that term is construed in Article II, section 40 of the state Constitution.

    (5) The department of licensing shall administer and collect the county fuel taxes.  The department shall deduct a percentage amount, as provided by contract, for administrative, collection, refund, and audit expenses incurred.  The remaining proceeds shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer for monthly distribution under RCW 82.80.080.

 

    Sec. 22.  RCW 82.80.070 and 1991 c 141 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The proceeds collected pursuant to the exercise of the local option authority of RCW ((82.80.010,)) 82.80.020, 82.80.030, and 82.80.050 (hereafter called "local option transportation revenues") shall be used for transportation purposes only, including but not limited to the following:  The operation and preservation of roads, streets, and other transportation improvements; new construction, reconstruction, and expansion of city streets, county roads, and state highways and other transportation improvements; development and implementation of public transportation and high-capacity transit improvements and programs; and planning, design, and acquisition of right of way and sites for such transportation purposes.  ((The proceeds collected from excise taxes on the sale, distribution, or use of motor vehicle fuel and special fuel under RCW 82.80.010 shall be used exclusively for "highway purposes" as that term is construed in Article II, section 40 of the state Constitution.))

    (2) The local option transportation revenues shall be expended for transportation uses consistent with the adopted transportation and land use plans of the jurisdiction expending the funds and consistent with any applicable and adopted regional transportation plan for metropolitan planning areas.

    (3) Each local government with a population greater than eight thousand that levies or expends local option transportation funds, is also required to develop and adopt a specific transportation program that contains the following elements:

    (a) The program shall identify the geographic boundaries of the entire area or areas within which local option transportation revenues will be levied and expended.

    (b) The program shall be based on an adopted transportation plan for the geographic areas covered and shall identify the proposed operation and construction of transportation improvements and services in the designated plan area intended to be funded in whole or in part by local option transportation revenues and shall identify the annual costs applicable to the program.

    (c) The program shall indicate how the local transportation plan is coordinated with applicable transportation plans for the region and for adjacent jurisdictions.

    (d) The program shall include at least a six-year funding plan, updated annually, identifying the specific public and private sources and amounts of revenue necessary to fund the program.  The program shall include a proposed schedule for construction of projects and expenditure of revenues.  The funding plan shall consider the additional local tax revenue estimated to be generated by new development within the plan area if all or a portion of the additional revenue is proposed to be earmarked as future appropriations for transportation improvements in the program.

    (4) Local governments with a population greater than eight thousand exercising the authority for local option transportation funds shall periodically review and update their transportation program to ensure that it is consistent with applicable local and regional transportation and land use plans and within the means of estimated public and private revenue available.

    (5) In the case of expenditure for new or expanded transportation facilities, improvements, and services, priorities in the use of local option transportation revenues shall be identified in the transportation program and expenditures shall be made based upon the following criteria, which are stated in descending order of weight to be attributed:

    (a) First, the project serves a multijurisdictional function;

    (b) Second, it is necessitated by existing or reasonably foreseeable congestion;

    (c) Third, it has the greatest person-carrying capacity;

    (d) Fourth, it is partially funded by other government funds, such as from the state transportation improvement board, or by private sector contributions, such as those from the local transportation act, chapter 39.92 RCW; and

    (e) Fifth, it meets such other criteria as the local government determines is appropriate.

    (6) It is the intent of the legislature that as a condition of levying, receiving, and expending local option transportation revenues, no local government agency use the revenues to replace, divert, or loan any revenues currently being used for transportation purposes to nontransportation purposes.  The association of Washington cities and the Washington state association of counties, in consultation with the legislative transportation committee, shall study the issue of nondiversion and make recommendations to the legislative transportation committee for language implementing the intent of this section by December 1, 1990.

    (7) Local governments are encouraged to enter into interlocal agreements to jointly develop and adopt with other local governments the transportation programs required by this section for the purpose of accomplishing regional transportation planning and development.

    (8) Local governments may use all or a part of the local option transportation revenues for the amortization of local government general obligation and revenue bonds issued for transportation purposes consistent with the requirements of this section.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 23.  The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:

    (1) RCW 39.92.040 and 1989 c 296 s 1 & 1988 c 179 s 4;

    (2) RCW 43.21C.065 and 1992 c 219 s 1;

    (3) RCW 82.02.050 and 1994 c 257 s 24, 1993 sp.s. c 6 s 6, & 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 43;

    (4) RCW 82.02.060 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 44;

    (5) RCW 82.02.070 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 46;

    (6) RCW 82.02.080 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 47;

    (7) RCW 82.02.090 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 48; and

    (8) RCW 82.02.100 and 1992 c 219 s 2.

 

    NEW SECTION.  Sec. 24.  Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 28A RCW.

 


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