SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2781

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Land Use & Planning, February 23, 2004

Title: An act relating to state agency review of development regulations.

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to expedited state agency review of development regulations.

Sponsors: House Committee on Local Government (originally sponsored by Representatives Upthegrove, Schindler, Jarrett, Clibborn and Schual-Berke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Land Use & Planning: 2/23/04 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAND USE & PLANNING

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Mulliken, Chair; Kline, Morton, Murray and T. Sheldon.

Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background: Cities and counties that plan under the state's Growth Management Act (GMA) must notify the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) of any proposed permanent changes to an adopted comprehensive plan or development regulation at least 60 days before adopting them. CTED and other state agencies may then comment on the proposed changes during the public review process. The 60-day notice requirement applies to all changes, regardless of their nature.

Summary of Bill: Cities and counties that plan under the GMA may request expedited review by CTED of proposed permanent changes to development regulations. CTED may grant expedited review, after consulting with other state agencies and determining that the state's ability to provide timely comments regarding compliance with the GMA or other matters of state interest will not be compromised. The changes may be adopted immediately after expedited review is granted.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Local jurisdictions often make changes to their development regulations that are relatively minor and of purely local interest, such as signage on buildings or height of fences, and do not involve the goals, policies, or requirements of the GMA. These changes elicit no comments from CTED or other state agencies. The 60-day notice requirement, as it now exists, prevents jurisdictions from proceeding with adoption, even though there will be no comments.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: PRO: Representative Upthegrove, prime sponsor; Fred Satterstrom, City of Kent; Dave Williams, Association Washington Cities , GMA Work Group.