BILL REQ. #:  S-1566.2 

Read first time 02/24/2005.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to requiring a review of land use permitting processes; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the complexity of land use permitting processes, when state and federal requirements and permits are involved, presents coordination challenges to regulators, project sponsors, interested parties, and other stakeholders. The legislature also finds that simpler, better coordinated, and more efficient land use permitting processes could better fulfill the intent of state laws and local ordinances, promote economic development, and also provide more certain environmental protections. The legislature further finds that a review of the state and federal role in local land use permitting processes is necessary for the legislature to be able to originate and evaluate effective proposals for changes to permitting processes.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The joint legislative audit and review committee shall review how requirements and processes administered by state and federal agencies affect local land use permitting processes, in respect to redundancy, uncertainty, and delay.
     For this review, the joint legislative audit and review committee may use a representative sample of local jurisdictions. The committee may compile and use any existing reviews, studies, analyses, and proposals regarding this subject that in the committee's judgment are relevant and reliable. The committee may also conduct additional investigations, as it deems necessary.
     The joint legislative audit and review committee shall issue a report by January 1, 2006, that identifies how requirements and processes administered by state and federal agencies affect local land use permitting processes in respect to redundancy, uncertainty, and delay, and the ways in which this redundancy, uncertainty, and delay are being and could be eliminated by local, state, or federal action.