HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESHB 2140
BYHouse Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Cantwell, Hargrove, Moyer, R. Fisher, Phillips, Walk, Haugen, Prince, Wineberry, Hine, Nelson, Miller and P. King)
Establishing the Washington state growth strategies commission.
House Committe on Trade & Economic Development
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. (12)
Signed by Representatives Cantwell, Chair; Wineberry, Vice Chair; Doty, Ranking Republican Member; G. Fisher, Kremen, Moyer, Rasmussen, Raiter, Rector, Tate, Walk and Youngsman.
House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)
Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations
Majority Report: The substitute bill by Committee on Trade & Economic Development as amended by Committee on Appropriations be substituted therefor and the substitute bill as amended do pass. (18)
Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Ebersole, Ferguson, Hine, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle, Wang and Wineberry.
Minority Report: Do not pass. (6)
Signed by Representatives Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Bowman, Brough, May, McLean and Padden.
House Staff: Susan Nakagawa (786-7136)
AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 15, 1989
BACKGROUND:
In Washington State, growth management and planning are traditionally done by local governments. Cities and counties have statutory authority, and arguably inherent power, to regulate land use and otherwise manage growth in their jurisdictions.
Planning and zoning are optional for local governments, except for the requirements of the Shoreline Management Act. Some local governments do not engage in formal planning or zoning.
The actions of a local government regarding growth management and land use can affect the region and the state. Therefore, state-wide planning laws do exist in several critical areas such as protecting the environment, shorelines, and wetlands. These state- wide regulations are sometimes mandated by the federal government. Platting, subdivision, land development, and building code laws also apply state-wide.
SUMMARY:
The Washington State Growth Strategies Commission is created. The commission is to recommend to the legislature a growth strategy for the state. In developing this strategy, the commission is: (1) to review recent state reports related to growth planning; (2) to evaluate state interests, priorities, and values in planning for growth; (3) to review ways to enhance cooperation between local governments; (4) to analyze growth planning and management in other states; (5) to recommend ways to better coordinate state and local governments and to enhance regional planning; (6) to recommend ways to form urban-rural links and coordinate urban-rural planning; and (7) to encourage the implementation of interlocal processes or local government service agreements.
The growth strategies commission is to set growth planning goals as part of establishing a growth strategy. In setting goals, the commission is to consider: (1) using present facilities to their maximum before investing in new infrastructure; (2) protecting landowners' property rights; (3) promoting and coordinating cost- effective growth planning that results in consistent and timely decisions; (4) encouraging citizen involvement in the planning process; (5) maintaining and protecting natural resources and natural resource based companies; (6) promoting the increase of affordable housing; and (7) promoting an efficient transportation system.
The commission consists of 17 members appointed by the governor representing the geographic regions of the state. The members are four legislators, the chair, two representatives of the Association of Washington Cities, two representatives of the Washington State Association of Counties, and eight citizens from the private sector and citizens groups representing a balance of positions on growth issues. The members of the commission are to serve two year terms. The commission may accept private sector gifts and grants.
Preliminary findings or recommendations of the commission are to be submitted to the Legislature by January 8, 1990. The commission is to recommend to the Legislature, by January 1991, a coordinated system for growth planning at the state, regional, and local levels.
Staffing of the commission is provided by the Department of Community Development, with support from the Department of Transportation. The governor and the Legislature can also assist by providing staffing and facilities.
Beginning July 1, 1991, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) will allot no more than half of appropriated funds from specified accounts or programs until legislation is adopted in response to the growth strategies commission's recommendations, or until legislation is enacted authorizing release of the funds. After July 1, 1991, local governments who apply for funds from these specified accounts or programs must have adopted a local comprehensive plan. The specified accounts are: (1) the Motor Vehicle Fund for category "C" projects; (2) the Transportation Improvement Account; (3) the Urban Arterial Trust Account; (4) the Public Works Assistance Account; (5) the Water Quality Account; (6) the Public Facility Construction Loan Revolving Account; and (7) the Land Bank.
In addition, after July 1, 1991, half of the funds available to counties and cities from the Motor Vehicle Account shall not be distributed until the Legislature authorizes distribution by enacting legislation based on the commission's recommendations, or until legislation is enacted authorizing release of the funds.
Revenue: The bill has a revenue impact.
Appropriation: $350,000 is appropriated to the Department of Community Development.
Fiscal Note: Requested March 3, 1989.
Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
House Committee ‑ Testified For: (Trade & Economic Development) Mike Fitzgerald, Economic Development Board; Brian Corcoran, Snohomish County Council; Jim Williams, Seattle Master Builders; Brian Derdowski, Sensible Growth Alliance of King County; Lucy Stears and Pam Brown, King County 2000, Seattle, Washington; Steve Lindstrom, Washington State Transit Association; David Williams, Association of Washington Cities; and Dick Ducharme, Washington Citizens for Improved Transportation.
(Appropriations) None Presented.
House Committee - Testified Against: (Trade & Economic Development) None Presented.
(Appropriations) None Presented.
House Committee - Testimony For: (Trade & Economic Development) In Washington, local governments and regions of the state need to do a better job planning for growth in order to limit the mistakes and negatives that accompany growth. Growth needs to be balanced with other concerns. It is important to get local jurisdictions to work and plan together on a regional basis; infrastructure is not keeping up with growth in many areas and inadequate regional and state planning is a major reason for this. The state should facilitate better planning.
The commission will make recommendations to the Legislature that can result in better regional and statewide planning for growth, involving local governments, regions of the state, state agencies, and the private sector.
More representation by cities and counties on the commission should be considered.
(Appropriations) None Presented.
House Committee - Testimony Against: (Trade & Economic Development) None Presented.
(Appropriations) None Presented.