Many bills proposing reform to the Growth Management Act (GMA) are still “alive” and progressing through the Legislature. AWC is supportive overall of the policy direction of these bills and continues to work towards agreement on some of the finer points. Nevertheless, any new planning responsibilities must come with a funding appropriation in advance of the update cycle in which cities will have to address changes made to the GMA.

Other bills that impact the GMA with a direct nexus to housing can be found in this article.

Bills that await floor action:

HB 1099 – Improving the state's climate response through updates to the state's comprehensive planning framework.

HB 1117 – Promoting salmon recovery through revisions to the state's comprehensive planning framework, including net ecological gain.

HB 1220 – Supporting emergency shelters and housing through local planning and development regulations.

HB 1232 – Adding the requirement to plan for duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhouses under the Growth Management Act.

HB 1241 – Amending the Growth Management Act update timeline, adding work plans and progress reports, and tribal consultation.

HB 1335 – Concerning review and property owner notification of recorded documents with unlawful racial restrictions.

SB 5042 – Concerning the effective date of certain actions taken under the Growth Management Act.

Bills that are “dead” for now, but may be revived as part of the budget:

SB 5269 – Including the value of increased residential building capacity in the property tax levy limit calculation and zoning for multifamily housing units.

SB 5306 – Concerning local salmon habitat recovery planning in critical areas.

SB 5380 – Concerning the default approval of building permits.