EFFECT: Exempts rural counties and any cities within rural counties from:

(1) Prohibitions against a comprehensive plan or development regulations denying or precluding a permit application for permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, indoor emergency housing, or indoor emergency shelter (STEP housing) in any residential or commercial zone within most urban growth areas.

(2) Requirements to use an administrative process for reviewing a permit application for STEP housing.

(3) Provisions relating to participation in dispute resolution with a project applicant or developer facilitated by the Department of Commerce (Commerce).

(4) Provisions allowing Commerce to issue a finding of noncompliance against the city or county if dispute resolution is unsuccessful, and the city or county has denied a project permit or development agreement, or enacted a zoning ordinance or development regulations, that prevent the siting of STEP housing.

(5) Provisions allowing the State Treasurer to withhold certain revenues from a city or county if Commerce finds that the city or county has violated requirements for siting STEP housing, and the city or county does not take corrective action.