With policy committee cutoff soon approaching on February 23rd, today it appears that we’re achieving success with our legislative agenda.

First and foremost, we worked hard to eliminate all of the bad GMA bills this session – and some other bad bills as well.  Here’s a list of the bills we were successful at eliminating:

Dead Bills

SB 6516 – Allowing limited storm and sanitary sewer systems for rural economic development in the growth management act.

HB 2728 – Addressing the impartial participation of members of the growth management hearings board on matters before the board

HB 2942 – Requiring planning for the availability of mineral resources

HB 2480 – Providing local governments with options to preserve affordable housing in single-family neighborhoods

SB 6108 – Concerning regional funding priority for major military installations

SB 6121 – Siting of institutions of higher education and accompanying facilities

HB 2503 – Concerning zoning regulation relating to accessory dwelling units

SB 6328 – Defining best available science for the purposes of the designating fish and wildlife conservation areas

HB 2789 – Requiring support by a majority of the people before annexation of a city, town or unincorporated area

We remain focused on tracking and supporting the following bills:

• Prevents the renewal, extension, or new leases of nonnative finfish – phases our current leases
• Provides for a study on how to further protect finfish aquaculture
• Hearing the Senate Scheduled for February 19th

SB 6294 – Exempting impact fees for low-income housing development

SB 5288 – Authorizing certain public transportation benefit areas to impose a sales and use tax increase approved by voters

• For Intercity Transit in Thurston County

HB 2317 – Concerning contractor bonding requirements for public transportation benefit areas and passenger-only ferry service districts

• Kitsap Transit Fast Ferry bonding requirements to assist the entity in buying/building a new boat

HB 2970 – Establishing an autonomous vehicle work group

SB 6414 – Concerning population-based representation on the governing body of public transportation benefit areas

• Impacts Pierce, Spokane, and Clark Transit agencies
• Provides that representation is based on population

We will be requesting and working to increase funding to transit and bike/ped projects along with the safe routes to school funding in the transportation budget.

SB 6095/HB 2395 – Capital Budget

SB 6032/HB 2299 – Supplemental Operating Budget

SB 6106/HB 2469 – Transportation Budget

Watch for updates next week, as budgets are released on Monday the 19th.