[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6364083,"mediaKeyId","2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555","parentId",2165384,"title","Bill would let certain residential permits proceed if jurisdictions miss review deadlines, sponsors say","audioSeconds",3424,"startMs",236520,"endMs",3661000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555&start=236&end=3661","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555/thumbnail_236520.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6364083/Washington/Bill-would-let-certain-residential-permits-proceed-if-jurisdictions-miss-review-deadlines-sponsors-say","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364083-1f8f33518f1d71445fd1b17c8d072e8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700812&Signature=Vq0pQhBPzSgy3ElmrSKTdlJmppNXb5w~tCKI1RDLJQ4dDmDb7-uGVdeH3koQdjWnt6AGZQ8ti3zn1z~toDT1AIwnVochv5zb2JTlmEVaCwFqhn4ouXdklg7RG3ffcsY0kP7ew4tIRtHup~OiTQDqSyylguM8nM~cUKub0VD5TC1qzhGM979eHtntPxulD061C5zdYhToeL70vdsODdfZoV5bU9VJxMGoqsQLnxsCN2cMJTg7bHsxU4sbmFYilQiqla1srlUxI2TTH0NtiYjuLdg30PcH135k9TPhBfLecIe0gu5vatjnaAAf4jLQ0IR7dWDcde7QkcuktuMpqDR1Ww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Local Government","date","2025-01-29T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Connors introduced House Bill 1438 and said the bill aims to speed permitting for certain residential projects by allowing an application to proceed if a local government does not act within statutory timelines and the application meets specified conditions.

Committee staff Kellen Wright summarized the relevant statutory timelines that are now in effect under previous legislation (effective Jan. 1): after an application is deemed complete, a local government must issue a final decision within 65 days if no public notice/hearing is required, 100 days if notice but no hearing is required, and 170 days if both notice and hearing are required. Wright said HB 1438 would allow an application to be approved automatically (subject to exceptions for “serious public health or safety concerns”) if the project is inside an urban growth area, contains at least one residential unit, and the plans are prepared and signed by a licensed architect or professional engineer.

Sponsor Representative Connors said licensed architects and engineers “are highly licensed, very professional folks” and argued permitting delays add cost and slow housing supply; she told the committee she had heard permitting delays can add about $30,000 to the cost of a home in some cases and said she is willing to limit the proposal to smaller residential projects (single‑family and middle housing) if needed.

Supporters from the Building Industry Association of Washington and others said the measure would help jurisdictions that lack staff and would reduce costs tied to permit delays. Andrea Smiley of the Building Industry Association said, citing a housing study, that every week of delay can add on average about $1,100 to the cost of a home and that the bill’s focus on urban growth areas helps limit environmental concerns.

Opponents, including the Washington Association of Building Officials (WABO), raised safety and enforcement concerns. Tim Woodard of WABO asked how “serious public health or safety issues” would be defined and whether automatic approvals would shift the burden for correcting code deficiencies to downstream corrections in the field. He warned the bill does not require independent third‑party review and said architects and engineers may not want added liability if certification becomes effectively binding without local review.

Judge (director of research) Gluck of the Manhattan Institute testified in favor of the bill’s approach to reducing delay and pointed to other states (Florida, Texas, Tennessee) that have used third‑party or expedited permitting mechanisms.

Committee members asked about completeness of applications, jurisdictions’ staffing limits, potential misuse of third‑party reviews and the balance between speed and public‑safety oversight. Several committee members said they were open to narrower versions that focus on smaller residential projects and stronger safeguards for public‑health and safety issues.

The measure was presented as a public hearing; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Local Government - 1/29/2025 8:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Connors introduced House Bill 1438, a proposal to allow certain residential permit applications to proceed automatically if a local government fails to meet statutory processing deadlines and the application was prepared and certified by a licensed architect or engineer.","taxTitle","Local Government, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20267,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364087,"Bill would let some fire protection districts dissolve local civil‑service systems, sponsors say",2684,1841,2686350,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555&start=1&end=2686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555/thumbnail_1841.jpg","/articles/6364087/Washington/Bill-would-let-some-fire-protection-districts-dissolve-local-civilservice-systems-sponsors-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364087-e0d8c2cfd3fcb8d3814c08a7dd4bca8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700812&Signature=Fk70QFPIGYS4gvXIV-2Vrl7moxHW2DuEPOJmWZc1oyV6Nd8UmHKzGQHLE3BlNFZCY~SNJTOzVG2YsZj9~7TM6z2KlhulmAD8DMHGX6zLSvkkDnuHQCbn~aZCLCVn-l6RiXQHJ2SJ4zBeGCbZ3xauTkttwB33x7L9HRYDhEAj7gQu~yNQBpgThJ44PAgurYCo3cVYLTxRAzd2nV7S6ANvEmYIc-Wzw-9SmgGAM94T7sFI0W5bEOqVuTa4op1WeQZhPC0qQBIOs-~uN2e5V8ygvH4inWXo0ceiQ0c2KV2zEhjoAb9w9Src3~NLXiRE2T3klUD9Yeh66DzD8jlRCGlqVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Suzanne Schmidt, prime sponsor of House Bill 1172, told the House Local Government Committee the measure would let some fire protection districts end locally adopted civil‑service systems after a resolution by the board of fire commissioners and a majority vote of affected civil‑service employees.

The bill matters because state civil‑service rules govern hiring, promotion, discipline and related personnel matters for public employees. Elizabeth Allison, staff to the committee, summarized the bill’s effect: a fire protection district that adopted civil service may dissolve that system if the district’s board adopts a resolution and a majority of the civil‑service employees vote to dissolve the system within 60 calendar days of the board resolution.

Supporters — including the Washington Fire Commissioners Association and several fire district officials — said the requirement to remain in civil service can be cumbersome for a very small number of districts and can delay hiring. Ryan Spiller of the Washington Fire Commissioners Association said the change affects “a small amount of people” and called it “a good little bill.” Frank Sottojourner, fire chief of Spokane Valley Fire Department, said civil‑service timelines and quorum requirements had forced his district to pause hiring: “We’ve had to put hiring on hold for up to 1 year … because of people who were resigning as commissioners or as a chief examiner.”

Spokespeople for affected districts and for rank‑and‑file employees told the committee they had local labor and union support for letting employees vote on dissolution. Spokane Valley speakers said IAFF Local 876 had provided a letter of support and that the district’s civil‑service board had participated in discussions.

Committee members asked about the practical effect of the change on hiring and on employee protections. Patrick Birch, a Spokane Valley fire commissioner, described the bill as a “balanced and reasonable process,” emphasizing that the requirement for a majority employee vote would ensure staff input: “The requirement for a majority vote of the employees guarantees that their voices are heard.”

This item was presented as a public hearing; no committee vote or final action was recorded in the transcript. Committee staff framed the proposal as an option available only to fire protection districts that previously adopted civil service; municipal departments that are required to have civil service were excluded from the change.

Looking ahead, sponsors and district officials said they would continue local discussions with unions and civil‑service boards about the detailed steps needed to implement any dissolution if the Legislature approves the change.","Representative Suzanne Schmidt, prime sponsor of House Bill 1172, told the House Local Government Committee the measure would let some fire protection districts end locally adopted civil‑service systems after a resolution by the board of fire commissioners and a majority vote of affected civil‑service employees.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364073,"Bill would extend reimbursement contract window for public improvements to 20 years; districts warn of administrative burden",516,1396560,1913520,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555&start=1396&end=1913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555/thumbnail_1396560.jpg","/articles/6364073/Washington/Bill-would-extend-reimbursement-contract-window-for-public-improvements-to-20-years-districts-warn-of-administrative-burden","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364073-acb01c7799a0b24d04bf70c1e6f954f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700812&Signature=ZCBlwlu8BFZx5kR7UdMR7S0N-9e6C2FYWXKhjjO7vwhIScGZGye2uomCjG~BJZFgDVuXj-v8lBZY8sVAtE5opYSR9TYP4TIwSskR2tpgJ6IP5STHNA57FLI938us09wcElwmfBvzXiFGf0G5OcC7HahzoMQ7-CTj2b1dL1WY4j8bQCzzqTU3Qze8vn-wjTeI0lC1TYyHS47ybZMMgypWTmHYScpc1Yg7cNPumBRsFhG6BTc5NQAmQED-s8wKYIBeUIagIETXpe92jnZmMxQL2MpeMribYMMmfD4eWYE4AxsCLMdxFvuc83zD65JHWuYGtIYmh72p1wtaleSEmLua~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Brandy Donaghy described House Bill 1305 as a measure to extend the maximum period during which a developer who installs public improvements may seek reimbursement from later users. Committee staff Kellen Wright said current law generally limits reimbursement contracts to 15 years for water/sewer district extensions and 20 years for municipal contracts; HB 1305 would standardize the limit at 20 years and allow tolling for the duration of a recession declared by the National Bureau of Economic Research and, for contracts entered before COVID, for the period of the COVID‑19 state of emergency if the contract beneficiary requests an extension by March 31, 2026.

Kellen Wright also noted the bill would remove an existing requirement that property owners subject to reimbursement obligations be notified when an extension is filed — a provision that prompted questions from committee members about who would be informed of extended obligations.

Devin Gomboski of the Washington Association of Sewer and Water Districts testified in opposition. Gomboski said extending the reimbursement window from 15 to 20 years and introducing new filing and notification obligations would create “substantial administrative burden” for districts that already struggle to track long‑running agreements, particularly when businesses change ownership or go out of business. He urged the committee to oppose the bill unless administrative impacts can be addressed.

Representative Donaghy said the extension is intended to reduce risk for initial developers who install infrastructure in areas without municipal utilities so that future development can connect to existing improvements. Committee members asked for clarification about the provision removing notification requirements for property owners that may become subject to reimbursement obligations; staff and the sponsor said they would follow up on the language.

The item was presented as a public hearing; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript.","Representative Brandy Donaghy introduced House Bill 1305 to set a 20‑year limit for reimbursement contracts for street, water and sewer improvements and to permit extensions during declared recessions or the COVID‑19 emergency under specified conditions.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6364077,"Bill would set clear filing date for Boundary Review Board notices, association says",922,1161750,2084520,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555&start=1161&end=2084","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165384-ac5fc56a807b6489f76501522679d555/thumbnail_1161750.jpg","/articles/6364077/Washington/Bill-would-set-clear-filing-date-for-Boundary-Review-Board-notices-association-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6364077-5322ae5093dceea6ff74a63565fe4ef3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773700812&Signature=AE1WU5gNNBDa4mqX1dNBOv99yndberpfgUukRMmMm8CmbDIohuZpbwUXUaMOG8F4aoucZ82~DiC61rjzOupywMx3iEi7duug9WryYfNGxJoV-D23UNlLL2uxVyGI9PYTz3PUkEQXOsDXW-uMpuzUHVBweXD8lrJ5VaoRL~JqvdL16We6jsZMyMKTUAWlWK7RfqJeYFwPTgUS0heniN~Q-GqPE4fAmLYJSBgSHAAaCZ1K~IhUpaFyQZtTXncPR-P2iNC~JobWPW6OGZCCNUjoDVu2kDz2lXphpZ-T2NfECMZNFNOU4u5f1fUeSA-2HGA6TjMq7fmxAI4syUJvh1Unkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Brandy Donaghy introduced House Bill 1304, which would clarify how the filing date for a notice of intent to a Boundary Review Board (BRB) is determined.

Committee staff Kellen Wright said BRBs — quasi‑judicial boards in 15 counties — review certain boundary changes such as annexations and special‑purpose district boundary adjustments. Under current practice, the timing that starts the 45‑day review trigger can be unclear. HB 1304 would establish the effective filing date as the earlier of the date the board’s chief clerk determines the notice is sufficient or the date it is deemed sufficient because the clerk has not completed review by the applicable deadline. The bill would require the clerk to complete an initial sufficiency review within 30 days and, if returned for correction, a second review within 14 days after resubmission. The notice would also need to include statutory exhibits and legal descriptions to be deemed complete.

Chad Lufeld, representing the Washington State Association of Boundary Review Boards, said the association strongly supports the bill because it clarifies the clerk’s role and prevents filings from being inadvertently delayed: “House bill 1304 would establish an effective filing date … and the state association of boundary review boards strongly supports this bill.”

Committee members noted the bill’s familiarity; a similar measure had been before the committee in the prior session and was amended during committee consideration. The bill was presented as a public hearing; no committee vote was recorded in the transcript.","Representative Brandy Donaghy introduced House Bill 1304 to clarify when a notice of intent filed with a county Boundary Review Board becomes effective and to set deadlines for the clerk’s sufficiency review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill would let certain residential permits proceed if jurisdictions miss review deadlines, sponsors say

Bill would let some fire protection districts dissolve local civil‑service systems, sponsors say

Bill would extend reimbursement contract window for public improvements to 20 years; districts warn of administrative burden

Bill would set clear filing date for Boundary Review Board notices, association says