One thread of the conversation on Growth Management Act (GMA) reform over the last year has been a desire from local governments to extend the timeframe of the comprehensive plan updates, from eight years to ten years. HB 1241, introduced last session, has advanced from its policy committee again this year with a few new wrinkles.

The second substitute bill, sponsored by Rep. Davina Duerr (D–Bothell), proposes the following:

• Extends the comprehensive plan update cycle to every ten years.
• Requires that every five years (halfway through the update cycle) cities over 6,000 in population submit a progress report including the following topics, based on guidance from the Department of Commerce:
  • Progress on implementation of the previously adopted Housing Element and any effect those changes had on housing availability and affordability in the community;
  • Permit processing timelines;
  • Progress towards any climate related growth management planning should HB 1099 pass;
  • If a city has not taken any adopted action to implement the comprehensive plan since the last the update, the city must identify the need for action in the progress report. Although the language is a bit unclear, it also appears that a city in this situation must also adopt a work plan to implement the changes and must complete all work necessary for implementation within two years of submitting the progress report.
• Delays the update cycle for cities in the Puget Sound Regional Council region by six months to allow expected planning grant funding to be provided by the state.

Date to remember

HB 1241 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, January 27 at 3:30 pm.