SB 5630, sponsored by Sen. Sharon Brown (R–Kennewick), proposes changes to the membership of the Growth Management Hearings Board (GMHB) and gives the Senate a larger role. The bill makes the following changes:

• Members must have experience and training (instead of or) in land use and planning;
• Practical experience must be demonstrated to the Senate;
• The Governor would need the consent of the Senate on any appointment to the GMHB, including filling vacant positions; and
• At least three members must have experience as a city or county planner – one each from the central Puget Sound, eastern Washington, and western Washington regions.

Dates to remember

SB 5630 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee on Tuesday, February 12 at 8 am.