HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 6643

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Local Government

Title:  An act relating to disregarding persons confined in state correctional facilities for population counts under the growth management act.

Brief Description:  Modifying growth management planning population requirements.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on State & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Snyder, Rasmussen and Oke).

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Local Government:  2/21/00, 2/24/00 [DP].

           Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

CAllows a county not planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA) to not include in its population count persons confined in state corrections facilities in the county for purposes of GMA population and growth planning requirements.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Mulliken, Republican Co-Chair; Scott, Democratic Co-Chair; Doumit, Democratic Vice Chair; Mielke, Republican Vice Chair; Edwards; Ericksen; Fisher and Fortunato.

Staff:  Caroleen Dineen (786-7156).

Background:

The Growth Management Act (GMA) requires a county and its cities to plan if the county:

Chas a population of 50,000 or more and had its population increase by at least 17 percent in the past 10 years; or

Chas a population fewer than 50,000 and had its population increase by at least 20 percent in the past 10 years (unless the county adopted or adopts a resolution removing itself from this requirement within the specified time period).

The population and 10-year growth criteria are determined by the Office of Financial Management (OFM).  Currently, 10 counties in Washington do not plan under RCW 36.70A.040:  Adams, Asotin, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Skamania, Wahkiakum, and Whitman.

The GMA requires all counties and cites in the state to designate and protect critical areas and to designate natural resource lands.  The GMA imposes additional requirements on counties and cities planning under RCW 36.70A.040 (GMA jurisdictions), including:  (1) designation of urban growth areas; (2) adoption of comprehensive plans with specified required and optional elements; and (3) adoption of development regulations implementing the comprehensive plans.

The state Department of Corrections operates major and minimum institutions in 10 counties in Washington:  Clallam, Clark, Franklin, Mason, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Walla Walla, and Yakima.  A state correctional facility under construction in Grays Harbor County is scheduled to open this year.  The operational capacity of this new facility will be approximately 2,000.

Summary of Bill:

For purposes of determining whether a county is required to plan under the Growth Management Act (GMA), a county currently not planning under the GMA is not required to include in its population count those persons confined in a correctional facility located in the county that is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  This bill specifies that people in prison do not count for Growth Management Act (GMA) population count purposes.  This bill exempts only the prisoners, not the prison employees, and will allow Grays Harbor to stay out of GMA planning when the new prison opens.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Senator Hargrove, prime sponsor.