SENATE BILL REPORT

SCR 8418

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Energy & Water, January 30, 2004

Brief Description: Creating a joint select legislative task force to evaluate permitting processes.

Sponsors: Senators Berkey, Swecker, Doumit, Schmidt, Mulliken, Parlette, Keiser, Rasmussen, Haugen and Murray.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Energy & Water: 1/29/04, 1/30/04 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ENERGY & WATER

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8418 be substituted therefor, and the substitute concurrent resolution do pass.

      Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; Doumit, Fraser, Hale, Hargrove, Honeyford and Regala.

Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background: A legislative work group on permit processes has recommended the convening of a joint effort by the four legislative caucuses and the Governor, a "five corners task force," to improve state and local permitting processes.

Summary of Substitute Bill: A joint select legislative task force is established to evaluate and make recommendations regarding permitting processes and report to the Legislature by January 1, 2005. The task force is composed of the chairs and the ranking minority members of the Senate Committee on Land Use and Planning and the House Local Government Committee. It will invite the Governor to join it and form a "Five Corners Task Force." An advisory committee is established, composed of representatives of state agencies, counties, cities, the business community, the environmental community, agriculture, labor, and federally recognized Indian tribes. Staff support is provided by Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill was not considered.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Testimony For: Permitting in Washington needs to be both streamlined and made more effective; it's the most time-consuming and costly in the country. Engineers, architects, and others who generally represent permit applicants should be added to the advisory committee, because of their experience. Ports should also be included.

Testimony Against: There is no need to add to the long list of existing permit streamlining efforts. The effectiveness of permits needs to be emphasized, not just streamlining.

Testified: Senator Berkey, prime sponsor (pro); Kristen Sawin, AWB (pro w/amend.); Ivy Sager Rosentahl, WashPIRG (con); Jerry Smedes, NW Environmental Business Council (concerns); Duke Schaub, Assoc. Gen. Contractors (pro).