AN ACT Relating to requiring incentives for electric vehicle readiness in buildings; amending RCW 35.63.126, 35A.63.107, and 36.70A.695; and creating a new section.

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

(2) Limited driving distance between battery charges is a fundamental disadvantage and obstacle to broad consumer adoption of vehicles powered by electricity. To eliminate this disadvantage and dramatically increase consumer usage of electric vehicles, it is essential that an infrastructure of convenient electric vehicle charging opportunities be developed.

(3) The legislature, therefore, intends to encourage the transition from vehicles powered by petroleum-based fuels to vehicles powered by electricity by expediting the establishment of a convenient, cost-effective electric vehicle infrastructure.

Sec. 2.  RCW 35.63.126 and 2009 c 459 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((By July 1, 2010, the development regulations of any jurisdiction:

(2) By July 1, 2011, or six months after the distribution required under RCW 43.31.970 occurs, whichever is later,)) (a) Except as provided otherwise by (b) of this subsection the development regulations of any ((jurisdiction)) city adjacent to Interstate 5, Interstate 90, Interstate 405, or state route number 520 planning under this chapter must allow electric vehicle infrastructure as a use in all areas ((except those zoned for residential or resource use or critical areas. A jurisdiction may adopt and apply other development regulations that do not have the effect of precluding the siting of electric vehicle infrastructure in areas where that use is allowed)).

(((3) By July 1, 2011, or six months after the distribution required under RCW 43.31.970 occurs, whichever is later)) (2)(a) Except as provided by (b) of this subsection, the development regulations of any ((jurisdiction)) city planning under this chapter must allow battery charging stations as a use in all areas ((except those zoned for residential or resource use or critical areas)).

(c) A ((jurisdiction)) city may adopt and apply other development regulations in accordance with this chapter that do not have the effect of precluding the siting of ((electric vehicle infrastructure)) battery charging stations in areas where that use is allowed.

(((4))) (3) Cities ((are authorized to)) must adopt incentive programs to encourage the fitting of new structures and the retrofitting of existing structures with the rapid charging station electrical outlets capable of charging electric vehicles. Incentives may include bonus height, site coverage, floor area ratio, and transferable development rights for use in urban growth areas.

(((5))) (4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(a) "Battery charging station" means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

(b) "Battery exchange station" means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

(c) "Electric vehicle infrastructure" means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.

(d) "Rapid charging station" means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

Sec. 3.  RCW 35A.63.107 and 2009 c 459 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((By July 1, 2010, the development regulations of any jurisdiction:

(2) By July 1, 2011, or six months after the distribution required under RCW 43.31.970 occurs, whichever is later)) (a) Except as provided otherwise by (b) of this subsection, the development regulations of any ((jurisdiction)) city adjacent to Interstate 5, Interstate 90, Interstate 405, or state route number 520 planning under this chapter must allow electric vehicle infrastructure as a use in all areas ((except those zoned for residential or resource use or critical areas. A jurisdiction may adopt and apply other development regulations that do not have the effect of precluding the siting of electric vehicle infrastructure in areas where that use is allowed)).

(((3) By July 1, 2011, or six months after the distribution required under RCW 43.31.970 occurs, whichever is later)) (2)(a) Except as provided by (b) of this subsection, the development regulations of any ((jurisdiction)) city planning under this chapter must allow battery charging stations as a use in all areas ((except those zoned for residential or resource use or critical areas)).

(c) A ((jurisdiction)) city may adopt and apply other development regulations in accordance with this chapter that do not have the effect of precluding the siting of ((electric vehicle infrastructure)) battery charging stations in areas where that use is allowed.

(((4))) (3) Cities ((are authorized to)) must adopt incentive programs to encourage the fitting of new structures and the retrofitting of existing structures with the rapid charging station electrical outlets capable of charging electric vehicles. Incentives may include bonus height, site coverage, floor area ratio, and transferable development rights for use in urban growth areas.

(((5))) (4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(a) "Battery charging station" means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

(b) "Battery exchange station" means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

(c) "Electric vehicle infrastructure" means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.

(d) "Rapid charging station" means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

Sec. 4.  RCW 36.70A.695 and 2009 c 459 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((By July 1, 2010, the development regulations of any jurisdiction:

(2) By July 1, 2011, or six months after the distribution required under RCW 43.31.970 occurs, whichever is later)) (a) Except as provided otherwise by (b) of this subsection, the development regulations of any ((jurisdiction)) city or county adjacent to Interstate 5, Interstate 90, Interstate 405, or state route number 520 planning under ((this chapter)) RCW 36.70A.040 must allow electric vehicle infrastructure as a use in all areas ((except those zoned for residential or resource use or critical areas. A jurisdiction may adopt and apply other development regulations that do not have the effect of precluding the siting of electric vehicle infrastructure in areas where that use is allowed)).

(((3) By July 1, 2011, or six months after the distribution required under RCW 43.31.970 occurs, whichever is later)) (2)(a) Except as provided by (b) of this subsection, the development regulations of any ((jurisdiction)) city or county planning under ((this chapter)) RCW 36.70A.040 must allow battery charging stations as a use in all areas ((except those zoned for residential or resource use or critical areas)).

(c) A ((jurisdiction)) city or county may adopt and apply other development regulations in accordance with this chapter that do not have the effect of precluding the siting of ((electric vehicle infrastructure)) battery charging stations in areas where that use is allowed.

(((4))) (3) Cities ((are authorized to)) must adopt incentive programs to encourage the fitting of new structures and the retrofitting of existing structures with the rapid charging station electrical outlets capable of charging electric vehicles. Incentives may include bonus height, site coverage, floor area ratio, and transferable development rights for use in urban growth areas.

(((5))) (4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(a) "Battery charging station" means an electrical component assembly or cluster of component assemblies designed specifically to charge batteries within electric vehicles, which meet or exceed any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

(b) "Battery exchange station" means a fully automated facility that will enable an electric vehicle with a swappable battery to enter a drive lane and exchange the depleted battery with a fully charged battery through a fully automated process, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

(c) "Electric vehicle infrastructure" means structures, machinery, and equipment necessary and integral to support an electric vehicle, including battery charging stations, rapid charging stations, and battery exchange stations.

(d) "Rapid charging station" means an industrial grade electrical outlet that allows for faster recharging of electric vehicle batteries through higher power levels, which meets or exceeds any standards, codes, and regulations set forth by chapter 19.28 RCW and consistent with rules adopted under RCW 19.27.540.

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