SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5309

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Land Use & Planning, February 24, 2003

Title: An act relating to appointments to growth management hearings boards; and amending RCW 36.70A.260.

Brief Description: Requiring senate confirmation of appointees to growth management hearings boards.

Sponsors: Senators Mulliken, T. Sheldon, Stevens, Honeyford, Morton, McCaslin and Schmidt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Land Use & Planning: 2/10/03, 2/24/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE & PLANNING

Majority Report: Do pass.

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

Staff: Tim Watterson (786-7441)

Background: Under current statute, each of the three growth management hearings boards must consist of three members who are qualified in land use planning matters and who reside within the board jurisdictional boundaries. At least one member must be an attorney, and one member must be a former county or city elected official. No more than two members of a board may be members of the same political party, and no more than two may reside in the same county. The Governor appoints members to the boards.

Summary of Bill: All existing requirements and procedures remain intact, but all appointments to the boards by the Governor, including for unexpired term vacancies, must be confirmed by the Senate.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Growth management hearings board members are administrative judges and should be confirmed like judges. It provides accountability for public officials making important decisions affecting people and property.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Senator Mulliken, prime sponsor; Senator Kline (pro); Kristin Sawin, Association of Washington Business (pro).