SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6265

As Passed Senate, February 16, 2004

Title: An act relating to permit timelines.

Brief Description: Improving the efficiency of the permitting process when multiple agencies are involved.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Land Use & Planning (originally sponsored by Senators Swecker, Doumit, Oke, Mulliken, Horn, Jacobsen, Sheahan, Hale, Rasmussen and Murray).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Land Use & Planning: 1/26/04, 1/29/04 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/16/04, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE & PLANNING

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6265 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background: A number of efforts are underway in the state to streamline and improve the way in which regulatory permits are issued. Improvements are likely to be realized by the year 2006.

Summary of Bill: The Legislature finds that there is an immediate need for coordination of permit timelines for large, multiagency permit efforts.

State permitting agencies are authorized to enter into agreements with permit applicants and each other for the purpose of setting the timelines they will use for making permit decisions. The timelines must not be shorter than they would otherwise be but may be extended and coordinated. The goal is to achieve maximum efficiency by means of concurrent studies and consolidation of applications, review, comment periods, and hearings. The agencies are required to commit to the timelines set in the agreement. The 45-day limit in the hydraulic code can be extended for this purpose.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 21, 2004.

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

Testimony For: In the case of many state permits, existing timelines are not realistic. Agencies and applicants are willing to coordinate and adjust to the differing requirements of projects, but the authority to do so needs to be made clear. A time limitation in the hydraulic code needs to be removed. Public participation must be assured.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Senator Swecker, prime sponsor (pro); Greg Hueckel, WDFW (pro); Genesee Adkins, 1000 Friends of WA (pro w/concerns).