SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5160

As Passed Senate, March 19, 2003

Title: An act relating to growth management act counties with less than ten thousand population, less than eighteen percent taxable land base, and only one incorporated city.

Brief Description: Authorizing certain counties to withdraw from the growth management act.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Land Use & Planning (originally sponsored by Senators Morton, Mulliken, McCaslin, Benton, Honeyford, Stevens, Sheahan, Deccio, Swecker, Hale, Parlette and T. Sheldon).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Land Use & Planning: 2/10/03, 2/13/03 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 3/19/03, 34-13.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE & PLANNING

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5160 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Mulliken, Chair; Morton and T. Sheldon.

Staff: Tim Watterson (786-7441)

Background: Counties with greater than a certain population and with greater than a certain population growth rate were required, along with the cities located within the counties, to plan under the Growth Management Act (GMA). Counties not meeting the population and growth thresholds could opt into the GMA by resolution of the county legislative authority. Once such a resolution is adopted, a county and the cities located within the county remain subject to all requirements of the GMA.

Summary of Bill: A county that has a population less than 10,000, a taxable land base of less than 18 percent and only one incorporated city within the county may adopt a resolution removing the county and the city within the county from the requirements of the GMA. Currently, one county, Ferry County, meets these criteria. Removal from the GMA occurs upon filing of the removal resolution with the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: The Ferry County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution in support of this bill. The city of Republic submitted a letter requesting this bill. The bill would help the county and city, which are in a dire economic and budgetary situation, and which face decline rather than growth.

Testimony Against: Generally, a GMA county removal bill should have a provision for collaboration with cities located within that county.

Testified: Senator Morton, sponsor; Dave Williams, Association of Washington Cities (pro, w/concern); Scott Merriman, Association of Washington Counties (pro).