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Committee advances bill to set clear and objective residential development standards
Summary
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5613, after a striking amendment and a secondary amendment, was reported out of committee. The measure focuses clear-and-objective development standards on residential development, excludes conditional use regulations from that requirement, and directs the Department of Commerce to publish model code 'provi
Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5613, addressing the development of clear-and-objective standards for residential development, was reported out of the House Housing Committee March 26 after committee amendments.
Staff described a striking amendment (H‑2047.1) offered by Representative Peterson that removed certain nonobjective criteria from an alternative approval process, clarified that the clear-and-objective requirement applies only to regulations for residential development, and directed the Department of Commerce to develop and publish model code provisions rather than a single model code. An amendment to the striking amendment (SERE226) excluded development regulations for conditional uses from the clear-and-objective requirements; committee members said the exclusion reflected county input and the variety of local permitting systems.
Supporters framed the bill as a tool to increase housing supply by giving Commerce and local governments model provisions that communities could adapt. Representative Lekanoff urged a yes vote, saying the bill provides a constructive working group and model provisions tailored to municipal differences. Critics on the committee said some jurisdictions raised cost concerns and legal risk given litigation in neighboring states; Representative Lowe said some members would have mixed votes for that reason.
On the roll call, the clerk recorded 15 ayes, 2 nays and 0 excused. By that vote, Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5613, as amended, was reported out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.
