HB 2854

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS

Local Government Committee

HB 2854

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Requiring the reporting of compliance with countywide planning policy requirements.

Sponsors: Representative Miloscia.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, each December 1st, to submit to the appropriate committees of the House and Senate a report analyzing compliance with the countywide planning policy requirements of the Growth Management Act.

Hearing Date: 1/22/08

Staff: Ethan Moreno (786-7386).

Background:

The Growth Management Act (GMA or Act) is the comprehensive land use planning framework for county and city governments in Washington. Enacted in 1990 and 1991, the GMA establishes numerous requirements for local governments obligated by mandate or choice to fully plan under the Act (planning jurisdictions) and a reduced number of directives for all other counties and cities. Twenty-nine of Washington's 39 counties, and the cities within those counties, are planning jurisdictions. The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED) provides technical and financial assistance to jurisdictions that must implement requirements of the GMA.

The GMA directs planning jurisdictions to adopt internally consistent comprehensive land use plans that are generalized, coordinated land use policy statements of the governing body. Comprehensive plans must address specified planning elements, each of which is a subset of a comprehensive plan. Planning jurisdictions must also adopt development regulations that implement and conform with the comprehensive plan.

The legislative authority of each county that fully plans under the GMA must adopt a countywide planning policy (CPP) in cooperation with the cities located wholly or partially within the county. A CPP is a written policy statement or statements used solely for establishing a countywide framework from which county and city comprehensive plans are developed and adopted.

Countywide planning policies must include specified planning provisions. Examples include:

Policies to implement requirements for urban growth areas designated under the GMA;
Policies for siting public capital facilities of a countywide or statewide nature; and
Policies that consider the need for affordable housing, such as housing for all economic segments of the population and parameters for its distribution.

The governor may impose sanctions upon a planning jurisdiction that fails to adopt CPPs in conformity with the GMA

Summary of Bill:

The DCTED, each December 1st, must submit to the appropriate committees of the House and the Senate a report analyzing compliance with the countywide planning policy requirements of the GMA.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on 1/19/2008.

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