Brief Description: Using adequacy of water supply in determining population projections.

Sponsors: Representatives Simpson and Chase.

Hearing Date: 1/30/06

Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

Among other duties, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) is required to prepare state population forecasts, including annual determinations of county populations, and the percentage of increase in population for each county during the preceding 10-year period.

The OFM is required also to prepare 20-year growth management planning population projections (20-year projections) for counties that fully plan under the Growth Management Act (GMA). These 20-year projections, which are used to comply with requirements of the GMA, must be completed at least once every five years or upon the availability of decennial census data, whichever is later. The 20-year projections are produced in low, medium, and high ranges and the OFM must review the projections with applicable counties and cities before final adoption.

Summary of Bill:

The 20-year growth management planning population projections prepared by the OFM must be accompanied by a statement from the agency's director, in consultation with appropriate state agencies and officials, indicating that adequate water supplies exist or will be available to serve the projected population.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 27, 2006.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.