HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2006
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. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Local Government & Housing
Title: An act relating to granting counties and cities two additional years to comply with review and revision requirements of the growth management act.
Brief Description: Granting counties and cities two additional years to comply with review and revision requirements of the growth management act.
Sponsors: Representatives Simpson and Chase.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government & Housing: 2/16/09, 2/19/09 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
|
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Simpson, Chair; Nelson, Vice Chair; Angel, Ranking Minority Member; Cox, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Miloscia, Short, Springer, Upthegrove, White and Williams.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Ericksen.
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 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. The implementation of comprehensive plans occurs through development regulations mandated by the GMA.
Comprehensive plans and development regulations are subject to continuing review and evaluation by the adopting county or city. Except as otherwise provided, planning jurisdictions must review and, if needed, revise their comprehensive plans and development regulations according to a recurring seven-year statutory schedule. Jurisdictions that do not fully plan under the GMA must, except as otherwise provided, satisfy requirements pertaining to critical areas and natural resource lands according to this same schedule. The review schedule is as follows:
on or before December 1, 2004, and every seven years thereafter, for Clallam, Clark, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties and the cities within those counties;
on or before December 1, 2005, and every seven years thereafter, for Cowlitz, Island, Lewis, Mason, San Juan, Skagit, and Skamania counties and the cities within those counties;
on or before December 1, 2006, and every seven years thereafter, for Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Spokane, and Yakima counties and the cities within those counties; and
on or before December 1, 2007, and every seven years thereafter, for Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties and the cities within those counties.
With some exceptions, only jurisdictions that are in compliance with the review and revision requirements of the GMA according to the review schedule are eligible to receive financial assistance from the Public Works Assistance Account and the Water Quality Account.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Summary of Bill:
Until June 30, 2012, counties and cities required to comply with the comprehensive plan and development regulation review and revision requirements of the GMA may do so at any time within two years after the date established in the review schedule. Counties and cities that exercise and properly complete this two-year deferral option remain eligible for financial assistance from the Public Works Assistance Account and the Water Quality Account.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The GMA requires the adoption of plans and regulations. Updates and reviews to these documents must occur every seven years, but these updates and reviews are expensive. This bill will give qualifying jurisdictions an additional two years to comply with the update and review requirements. Jurisdictions that wish to comply early may do so. Cities have financial problems, and this bill will provide some relief without changing requirements of the GMA.
(Opposed) The requirement to update comprehensive plans was not originally part of the GMA. Much has happened since counties and cities completed their last updates. The economy and housing markets have changed, and local governments need to integrate these changed circumstances into their planning documents.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Simpson, prime sponsor; and Dave Williams, Association of Washington Cities.
(Opposed) April Putney, Futurewise.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: Mike Motte, Capital Medical Center.