Title: An act relating to schedules for the review of comprehensive plans and development regulations for certain cities and counties.

Brief Description: Concerning schedules for the review of comprehensive plans and development regulations.

Sponsors: Senators Kastama, Mulliken, Morton and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 1/24/06, 2/2/06 [DPS, DNP, w/oRec].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6427 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Fairley, Haugen, McCaslin and Pridemore.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Benton and Mulliken.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Roach, Ranking Minority Member.

Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background: The Growth Management Act (GMA) establishes a seven-year cycle for review and revision (update) of policies and development regulations concerning critical areas and resource lands, for all cities and counties, and of comprehensive plans and development regulations, for those cities and counties that fully plan under the GMA. In 2005, cities and counties with updates due in 2005, 2006, and 2007 were given an additional year to complete updates of requirements regarding protection of critical areas.

Summary of Substitute Bill: Smaller, slower-growing counties and cities are given additional time to complete their GMA updates. Counties with updates due in 2005, 2006, or 2007 that have a population of no more than 50,000 and a population increase of no more than 17 percent in the previous 10 years have 3 additional years to complete the update, including requirements to protect critical areas. Any cities with updates due in 2005, 2006, or 2007 that have a population of no more than 5,000 and a population increase of the greater of either 100 persons or no more than 17 percent in the previous 10 years, likewise have 3 additional years.

There are two additional circumstances in which a comprehensive plan can be amended more often than once a year. One is adoption of a planned action ordinance. The other is an annexation within the urban growth area.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Critical areas updates are included in the 3-year extension. The criteria for cities are revised. The two additional circumstances for amending a plan more often than once a year are added.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: Smaller jurisdictions should be able to use their resources on more pressing needs, if their circumstances haven't changed enough to deserve an update. There isn't enough development impact at stake in these jurisdictions. Funds and resources for updates should go to the larger, fast growing jurisdictions. The existing 1-year extension for critical areas shouldn't become permanent; and critical areas updates should be done sooner and ahead of the rest of the update. Critical areas updates should be included in the proposed 3-year extension.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Nancy Ousley, CTED; Kaleen Cottingham, Futurewise; Heath Packard, Audubon; Eric Johnson, WSAC; Dave Williams, AWC.