Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Local Government & Housing Committee

HB 2446

Brief Description:  Setting time limits for review of water and sewer general comprehensive plans.

Sponsors:  Representatives Miloscia, Mulliken, DeBolt and Dunshee.

Brief Summary of Bill

$State agencies that review water-sewer comprehensive plans submitted by local governments must either approve, conditionally approve, reject or request amendments within 90 days of submittal, with an additional 90 days if insufficient time exists to adequately review the plan.

$$The governing body of the local government submitting the plan for review, may mutually agree with the agency for an extension of the deadline.

Hearing Date:  1/28/02

Staff:  Scott MacColl (786‑7106).

Background:

Districts providing water-sewer service must adopt a comprehensive plan for the type of facilities the district proposes to provide, and may either combine all services into a single comprehensive general plan or prepare a separate general comprehensive plan for each of these services.

Prior to the plan becoming effective, the general comprehensive plan must be approved by any state agency whose approval may be required by applicable law.  Also, amendments to, alterations of, or additions to the general comprehensive plan requires the same approval process.  This approval process applies to a city or town legislative authority only when an amendment, alteration, or addition to the general comprehensive plan affects the particular city or town.

Summary of Bill:

A water or sewer general comprehensive plan submitted by a city, town, public utility district, or water-sewer district for review by a state agency must either be approved, conditionally approved, rejected, or have amendments requested within 90 days after submission.  This time line may be extended another 90 days if insufficient time exists to adequately review the plan.

The governing body of any district submitting a plan may mutually agree with the agency reviewing the plan for an extension of the deadline.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

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