Brief Description: Providing for economic development project permitting.

Sponsors: Senators Kilmer, Zarelli, Hatfield, Schoesler, Holmquist, Kastama, Tom, Sheldon, Shin and Rasmussen.

Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management
House Committee on State Government & Tribal Affairs
House Committee on Appropriations

Background: Uncertainty in permit activity is undesirable and erodes confidence in government. The Office of Regulatory Assistance (ORA), in the Office of Financial Management, was created to provide citizens with information on regulations, permit requirements, and rule-making processes in the state. ORA is required to operate on the principle that state citizens should receive a date and time for a decision on a permit, the information required to make a decision on a permit, and an estimate of the maximum amount of costs in fees, studies, or public processes that will be incurred by the applicant.

The duties of the ORA include providing information, project facilitation, coordination of agency permit processing, and working to develop informal processes for dispute resolution between agencies and project applicants. ORA is to give priority to furnishing assistance to small projects with its general fund allocations. The termination date for the ORA is June 30, 2007.

Summary: The Legislature recommends that permit applicants receive information from city, county, or state agencies on the time an agency will need to make a permit decision and the minimum amount of information required for a decision. Applicants should also receive information on when an application is complete, the expected fees, and, in writing, the reasons for denial of a permit. Permitting agencies are encouraged to report annually on success in providing this information.

When a local government applies for Public Works Board funding, Community Economic Revitalization Board funding, or Job Development Fund Program funding, the criteria to be considered will include whether the applicant has developed and adhered to guidelines regarding its permitting process for those applying for development permits.

ORA is to help local jurisdictions by providing information about best practices in complying with permit timeline requirements and by providing technical assistance in reducing the turnaround time between submittal and issuance of a development permit. The termination date for the ORA is extended to June 30, 2011.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      47   0
House      94   4   (House amended)
Senate      47   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective:   July 22, 2007