AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 6
February 9, 2007
(Plain Text Version)
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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: Legislature Moves Along – More Temperate Tone
City Legislative Action Conference (CLAC)
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
Online Legislative Advocacy Tools
AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers
Environment & Water
Clean Up and Protection of the Puget Sound (HB 1374/SB 5372)
AWC supports refocusing efforts to clean up and protect the health of the Puget Sound and has been working with bill sponsors, the Governor’s office, and key interests to move these bills forward. We are particularly appreciative of efforts by HB 1374 sponsor Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines) to reach out to cities and others to craft a bill that, hopefully, all can support.
Residential Yard Waste Burning in Small Cities
AWC continues work with other interests and the Department of Ecology on finding solutions (possibly HB 5075 with amendments) to problems related to the January 2007 ban on outdoor yard waste burning in cities under 5,000.
Providing for an Inspected Inventory of On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems (HB 1650)
HB 1650 and related discussions are seeking to determine whether or not cities, especially larger and more-urbanized cities, should be designated with the responsibility of conducting an inventory of and oversight of an inspection program for septic systems in cities.
In testimony this past week in the House Select Committee on Environmental Health, AWC communicated support for the idea that septic systems in urban areas should be inspected, but expressed concerns about how to accomplish this goal. We are working with counties and the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Fromhold (D-Vancouver), to craft acceptable language.
Providing for a One-Year Extension for Shoreline Master Program Updates (SB 5474)
Most cities and counties will have to review and update local Shoreline Master Programs on a staggered schedule over the next six years. Current law establishes the schedule, links the schedule to provision of funding support, and establishes that the work is to be completed within two years. This bill, supported by AWC and the Department of Ecology, allows three years to complete the update.
SB 5474 is scheduled for hearing before the Senate Water, Energy and Telecommunications Committee at 1:30 pm on Friday, February 16.
Changing the Definition of Floodway in the Shorelines Management Act (SB 5473)
This Department of Ecology bill was introduced with the goal of clarifying the definition of a floodway for planning purposes. Unfortunately, there is some confusion over how other state agencies are interpreting SB 5473. AWC is working with the department to fine-tune the bill – we want to support SB 5473 and appreciate their intent. This bill is scheduled for hearing at 1:30 pm on Friday, February 16.
These two bills deal with finer points of our complex water laws. HB 1453 directs the Department of Ecology to 1) approve changes in the point of diversion under a water right from any point within a pool, or hydraulically-connected groundwater, to any other point within the same pool, or hydraulically-connected groundwater; and 2) adopt a conclusive presumption that the changes do not impair any other water right and are in the public interest.
HB 1453 will be heard the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee at 1:30 pm on Monday, February 12.
HB 2002 phases out building permit moratoriums for cities with unprocessed water right permit applications and will be considered in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee at 10 am on Thursday, February 15.
Cities interested in either bill are encouraged to provide input prior to these hearings to Dave Williams, davew@awcnet.org, or Tim Gugerty, timg@awcnet.org.
Cities adjacent to or that somehow drain into Puget Sound may be interested in these bills addressing shellfish protection. HB 1595 expands requirements and planning processes related to Shellfish Protection Districts and HB 1928 directs counties to expedite shellfish protection efforts. Both bills will be heard in the House Select Committee on Puget Sound at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, February 14.
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