The House version of a companion pair of bills that we reported on last week is also receiving a hearing.

HB 2609, whose companion, SB 6335, was heard last week, takes a comprehensive approach to incorporating climate into the Growth Management Act (GMA). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Davina Duerr (D–Bothell), does the following:

• Adds a new GMA goal:
  Goal 14: Climate change. Ensure that comprehensive plans, development regulations, and regional policies, plans, and strategies under RCW 11 36.70A.210 and chapter 47.80 RCW adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate; support state greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements and state vehicle miles traveled goals; build resilient infrastructure; and nurture environmental, economic, and human health.
• Adds a new GMA element:
  The stated intent of the new element is to reduce greenhouse gas emission reductions generated by the transportation and land use systems within the jurisdiction.
• Requires the Department of Commerce to allocate statewide emission reductions to each jurisdiction;
• Requires each jurisdiction to achieve those emission reductions, as allocated;
• Requires each jurisdiction to achieve reductions in per capita vehicle miles traveled consistent with state goals;
• Requires that the new climate element “avoids and build resiliency to the impacts of climate change such as sea level rise, landslides, flooding, drought, heat, smoke, wildfire, and other reasonably anticipated changes.”

The new climate element must be finalized no later than two years prior to the current comprehensive plan review and revision deadlines. Adoptions of these elements are not subject to administrative or judicial appeal until January 1, 2029.

The new goal would apply to all GMA planning jurisdictions. The more specific element requirements would only affect Western Washington counties and their cities with 2019 population estimates from the Office of Financial Management that are greater than 100,000. For Eastern Washington counties and cities, there are three tiers of eligibility based on population:

• Greater than 500,000
• Greater than 200,000, but with an incorporated population less than 40,000
• Greater than 90,000, but with an incorporated population less than 15,000

Dates to remember

HB 2609 is scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, January 28 at 3:30 pm in the House Environment & Energy Committee.