Title: An act relating to connection of limited areas of more intensive rural development for recreational or tourist use to existing public facilities.

Brief Description: Changing provisions relating to limited development of rural areas.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh and Nixon.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/10/05, 93-1.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/29/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background: The state's Growth Management Act (GMA) prohibits extension into rural areas of urban governmental services at an intensity typically found in cities, except when necessary to protect public health and the environment. The GMA, however, provides for limited areas of more intensive rural development (LAMIRDs) with necessary public facilities. Small-scale recreational or tourist use is one type of LAMIRD. Public facilities for this type must be limited to those necessary to serve the use and provided in a way that does not permit low-density sprawl.

Summary of Bill: An example is added of public services and public facilities limited to those necessary to serve a small-scale recreational or tourist LAMIRD and provided in a manner that does not permit low-density sprawl. The example is a connection to an existing public facility where the connection serves only the LAMIRD use and is not available to adjacent parcels.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For: The situation this addresses is being resolved now under the existing law.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Leonard Bauer, CTED.