HOUSE BILL REPORT
SHB 2446
As Passed Legislature
Title: An act relating to state agency review of water and sewer general comprehensive plans.
Brief Description: Setting time limits for review of water and sewer general comprehensive plans.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Local Government & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Miloscia, Mulliken, DeBolt and Dunshee).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government & Housing: 1/28/02, 1/31/02 [DPS].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 2/13/02, 98-0.
Senate Amended.
Passed Senate: 3/7/02, 49-0.
House Concurred.
Passed House: 3/11/02, 94-0.
Passed Legislature.
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Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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$State agencies that review water or sewer plans submitted by local governments must either approve, conditionally approve, reject or request amendments within 90 days of submittal, with an additional 90 days if insufficient time exists to adequately review the plan. |
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$Requires a written reason if the state agency reviewing the water or sewer comprehensive plan rejects or requires the additional 90 days for review. |
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$The governing body of the local government submitting the plan for review, may mutually agree with the agency for an extension of the deadline. |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT & HOUSING
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Edwards, Vice Chair; Mulliken, Ranking Minority Member; Berkey, Crouse, Dunn, Hatfield, Kirby, Mielke and Sullivan.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative DeBolt.
Staff: Scott MacColl (786‑7106).
Background:
Districts providing water-sewer service must adopt a comprehensive plan for the type of facilities the district proposes to provide, and may either combine all services into a single comprehensive general plan or prepare a separate general comprehensive plan for each of these services.
Prior to the plan becoming effective, the general comprehensive plan must be approved by any state agency whose approval may be required by applicable law. Also, amendments to, alterations of, or additions to the general comprehensive plan requires the same approval process. This approval process applies to a city or town legislative authority only when an amendment, alteration, or addition to the general comprehensive plan affects the particular city or town.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
A water or sewer plan submitted- for review by a state agency must either be approved, conditionally approved, rejected, or have amendments requested within 90 days after submission. This time line may be extended another 90 days if insufficient time exists to adequately review the plan.
For rejections or extensions of the plan, the department must give a reason in writing.
The governing body of any district submitting a plan may mutually agree with the agency reviewing the plan for an extension of the deadline.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not Requested.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This is a good government bill that sets expectations of how long an agency has to review a plan. This bill is similar to HB 1327 from last year, but with the problem worked out with the Department of Health. Ecology has a concern with section 2 of the bill, in that they are worried that the language might force them to review the water supply portion.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Representative Miloscia, prime sponsor; and Joe Daniels, Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts.