A proposal brought forward by Sound Transit to expedite permitting of their facilities has passed the Legislature. Sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Marko Liias (D–Edmonds), SB 6309 contains an assortment of provisions.

To facilitate development of regional transit authority (RTA) facilities, the legislation provides the following:

• Development agreements between a local government and an RTA may set development standards that vary from otherwise applicable development regulations, except for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• An RTA may apply for land use, construction permits, and technical permits for its facilities before acquiring the land those facilities will be built on if the property owner is notified at the time of application. Cities may issue permits provided that the RTA remains responsible for attaining legal ownership before proceeding with the permitted work. This is in recognition that the RTA has eminent domain authority.
• An RTA may construct facilities of fixed guideway systems that exceed height limits and setback requirements of local development regulations so long as the RTA complies to the extent practicable given the need to construct and operate a rail system.
• A division of land caused by the acquisition of a portion of an existing lot by an RTA is not subject to the Subdivision Act (Chapter 58.17 RCW).