ANALYSIS OF HB 1468

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                       February 22, 1999

                Brief Summary of Bill

$Requires the county-wide planning policy adopted by a county to address policies that consider the present and future availability of adequate water supplies.

$Requires OFM to revise a 20-year population projection if the projection does not reflect information regarding adequate domestic water supply provided in a county=s county-wide planning policy.

BACKGROUND:

Each year, the Office of Financial Management (OFM) determines the population of each county.  Once approximately every 5 years, OFM also prepares 20-year population projections for counties that adopt plans under the Growth Management Act (GMA).  These projections are submitted to the counties and cities within them for review.  OFM must consider and comment on the information provided by these local governments before adopting its projections.  A city or county may request that a projection for the city or county be revised. (R.W. 43.62.035.)

The GMA requires a county planning under the act and each city in the county to include areas and densities that are sufficient to permit the projected urban 20-year growth based on these projections.  (R.W. 36.70A.110(2).)

SUMMARY:

The 20-year population projections submitted to cities and counties for review by OFM must be accompanied by a statement from the Director of the Department of Ecology that adequate domestic water supplies exist or will be available to serve the projected population.