HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1978
As Passed House:
January 28, 2022
Title: An act relating to shoreline master program review schedules.
Brief Description: Concerning shoreline master program review schedules.
Sponsors: Representatives Duerr and Pollet.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Local Government: 1/19/22, 1/21/22 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 1/28/22, 93-1.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Increases the review and revision cycle for Shoreline Master Plans from eight to 10 years.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 7 members:Representatives Pollet, Chair; Duerr, Vice Chair; Goehner, Ranking Minority Member; Griffey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Berg, Robertson and Senn.
Staff: Kellen Wright (786-7134).
Background:

The Shoreline Management Act requires all counties, as well as most towns and cities, to develop and implement Shoreline Master Programs.  These programs are designed to help regulate and protect the shorelines of the state.  The Department of Ecology has adopted Shoreline Master Program Guidelines to provide standards for adopting and implementing shoreline programs. 

 

Counties and cities must review and revise their master programs every eight years.  Currently, the deadline for this review is June 30, 2022, for Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, and Whitman counties and the cities within those counties; June 30, 2027, for King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties and the cities within those counties; June 30, 2028, for Clallam, Clark, Island, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, San Juan, Skagit, Thurston, and Whatcom counties and the cities within those counties; and June 30, 2029, for Benton, Chelan, Cowlitz, Douglas, Grant, Kittitas, Lewis, Skamania, Spokane, and Yakima counties and the cities within those counties.  
Summary of Bill:

Shoreline Master Programs must be reviewed and revised every 10 years. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) By changing the Shoreline Management Act cycle from eight to 10 years, it coordinates the update cycle with that proposed in House Bill 1241 for comprehensive plans.  These updates take years to complete, so under the current cycle only a limited amount of time is available to evaluate prior updates before the next update is required.
 

(Opposed) None. 


(Other) This bill aligns with other bills as part of a larger package to improve planning efficiency and outcomes.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Representative Davina Duerr, prime sponsor; and Paul Jewell, Washington State Association of Counties.
(Other) Bryce Yadon, Futurewise.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.