[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6329767,"mediaKeyId","2315644-8395bf278da8017928a409f9dc5502a5","parentId",2315644,"title","Local Government Committee reports out bills on trails, WUI code, embodied carbon, planning deadlines and alarms; votes recorded","audioSeconds",1431,"startMs",1120830,"endMs",2552694,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315644-8395bf278da8017928a409f9dc5502a5&start=1120&end=2552","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315644-8395bf278da8017928a409f9dc5502a5/thumbnail_1120830.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6329767/Washington/Local-Government-Committee-reports-out-bills-on-trails-WUI-code-embodied-carbon-planning-deadlines-and-alarms-votes-recorded","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329767-18ecc97aa18d71ec9a825e5847314955/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205948&Signature=TlISYTtDJR8lWUh~EQcYgzhmUj3IoaHvr5BsqHdrQ8htloU2WEGaBHWlwH-6yicQ8oq5OaR2i26Xat0OuoYqJ41yB7rZV2m2McVMEbJvwYU0LIbGkUyRjdQs~xXab3Rodl175WiHG7iLWhWuR4bVgT7aZ7Bc3NitG9czmPyGbi2OB~1x9qkqOcuR31oLhxal-7hvUlBSV~zlCzz6n7EpPy~9oC2zLYPskrf9whbIf2jjRYb9-ROcJEituIO4tYowvcqG9hU8yQ4d0FFDcfn~TiQ9aIYDTAz83F-D5OnK8v4myVjYiTOvNdxwQuuf8K8r5GwCN-4wRt2G6iMl4M44Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Local Government","date","2025-02-14T00:00:00Z","article","The Local Government Committee advanced a slate of bills on Feb. 14, reporting several to the House with due-pass recommendations. Committee members debated measures on trails, wildfire building codes, embodied-carbon building standards, comprehensive-plan timing, firefighter pension board designees and rules for electric alarm systems. Votes were held and tallied on multiple items.

The most contested measures were three bills that passed on 4–3 votes: HB 18-14, HB 12-54 (proposed substitute), and HB 14-58 (proposed substitute). Unanimous or near-unanimous reports included substitute HB 1700 (7–0), HB 17-98 (7–0) and HB 16-88 (7–0).

Summary of key bills and committee debate

HB 18-14 — Trails SEPA exemption (reported out, due pass; 4–3)
HB 18-14 would provide a categorical exemption from the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) for decisions regarding paths and trails that meet certain criteria and requires applicants seeking the exemption to consult meaningfully with any affected federally recognized tribe. Representative Hunt urged a yes vote, saying “Trail connectivity is very important.” Ranking Member Clicker said the minority would oppose, citing concerns about losing inventory and impacts on adjacent properties. Roll call recorded: Representative Dior — aye; Representative Partially — aye; Representative Clicker — nay; Representative Stevie — nay; Representative Griffey — nay; Representative Hunt — aye; Representative Zahn — aye. Staff announced 4 ayes, 3 nays.

HB 12-54 (proposed substitute) — Wildland‑Urban Interface (WUI) code adoption process (reported out, due pass; 4–3)
The substitute to HB 12-54 would allow the State Building Code Council to adopt the International Wildland‑Urban Interface code in whole or in part, require statewide wildfire hazard maps before full adoption, permit optional local WUI adoption until statewide maps are complete, and require state-level consultation on defensible-space requirements. The committee adopted amendment ALI 4 11, which requires State Building Code Council approval of city/county amendments that affect single‑family or multifamily residential buildings before those local amendments take effect. Representative Griffey argued against full adoption of the WUI code, raising concerns about prescriptive requirements, cost increases and whether the approach mirrors California’s experience. Roll call recorded: Representative Duer — aye; Representative Toher — aye; Representative Partially — aye; Representative Clicker — nay; Representative Stevie — nay; Representative Griffey — nay; Representative Hunt — aye; Representative Zahn — aye. Staff announced 4 ayes, 3 nays.

HB 14-58 (proposed substitute) — Reducing embodied carbon in buildings (reported out, due pass; 4–3)
Substitute HB 14-58 would require the State Building Code Council to adopt rules on embodied-carbon reduction standards, set data reporting requirements, and require a 30% embodied-carbon reduction target for the 2030 state building code for covered projects. The committee adopted a technical amendment (ALI 4 12) and debated availability of low‑carbon products and potential cost impacts. Representative Griffey cautioned about supply and cost effects on housing; supporters said the changes align industry trends. Roll call recorded: Representative Doer — aye; Representative Partially — aye; Representative Clicker — nay; Representative Stevie — nay; Representative Griffey — nay; Representative Hunt — aye; Representative Zahn — aye. Staff announced 4 ayes, 3 nays.

HB 1700 (substitute) — Timing for comprehensive-plan updates (reported out, due pass; 7–0)
Substitute HB 1700 would extend the deadline for counties and cities with comprehensive-plan updates due in 2026 by six months to Dec. 31, 2026, and originally included a provision about capital facilities updates for cities that was removed by amendment RIC 3 78. Committee members emphasized the administrative burden of comprehensive-plan updates and supported a short extension; the committee reported the substitute 7–0.

HB 17-98 — County auditor/treasurer designees for firefighter pension boards (reported out, due pass; 7–0)
HB 17-98 allows county auditors and treasurers to appoint designees to serve on prior‑act firefighter pension boards. Committee members who had served on such boards described shrinking membership and supported the change. The bill was reported out 7–0.

HB 16-88 (substitute) — Statewide standards for electric security alarm systems (reported out, due pass; 7–0)
HB 16-88 would establish statewide standards for installing and operating electric security alarm systems where local jurisdictions have not adopted alternative regulations. The committee adopted amendment RUS M 159 to clarify the definition of outdoor storage property; supporters said the bill preserves local authority where jurisdictions have already acted. The substitute was reported out 7–0.

Votes at a glance

- HB 18-14 (trails SEPA exemption): reported out, due pass — 4 ayes, 3 nays (Dior, Partially, Hunt, Zahn = ayes; Clicker, Stevie, Griffey = nays).
- HB 12-54 (WUI substitute, with ALI 4 11): reported out, due pass — 4 ayes, 3 nays (Duer/Toher, Partially, Hunt, Zahn = ayes; Clicker, Stevie, Griffey = nays).
- HB 14-58 (embodied carbon substitute): reported out, due pass — 4 ayes, 3 nays (Doer, Partially, Hunt, Zahn = ayes; Clicker, Stevie, Griffey = nays).
- HB 1700 (comprehensive-plan timing substitute): reported out, due pass — 7 ayes, 0 nays.
- HB 17-98 (firefighter pension boards): reported out, due pass — 7 ayes, 0 nays.
- HB 16-88 (electric alarm systems substitute): reported out, due pass — 7 ayes, 0 nays.

Committee action will move the measures to the next House floor steps; several items drew substantive debate and amendments related to local control, cost impacts, and interagency mapping and consultation requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Local Government - 2/14/2025 10:30 AM","oneSentenceSummary","The Local Government Committee on Feb. 14 reported a package of bills to the House, advancing measures on trails, wildfire building-code adoption, embodied‑carbon standards, planning deadlines, firefighter pension boards and alarm-system rules.","taxTitle","Local Government, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20267,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6329772,"Committee hears bill to clarify building permits are not 'project permits' under Growth Management Act",650,13665,664399,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2315644-8395bf278da8017928a409f9dc5502a5&start=13&end=664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2315644-8395bf278da8017928a409f9dc5502a5/thumbnail_13665.jpg","/articles/6329772/Washington/Committee-hears-bill-to-clarify-building-permits-are-not-project-permits-under-Growth-Management-Act","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6329772-d36690375f352d47c884a47493712948/orig.mp4?Expires=1771205948&Signature=TNmNiJso-fTJ9DBB-SgPQ4mvLGW5Czye2noxXu7~3iMWWmIaPUvcCNp0xdAUXawnJ9UY6juNDTYXed0oP7qepAUcWGgSDneJV6GkavzeS2XYvvk1Xtr5hIBF4mRwxBsRqxm1UnjOXf67qllK07gJsxOpkPQ1-d95gKaqXtKrVKCJUCbPLTnCMxqmQ7PXY7hA5r1wuVX~ZY0c37pSlLV0-jtaw~7zVCYgI2O8fsOhVGPLpe7N1Yp~1at-fUB9lLGEYxDFFcY7CntVrP~8SroYNbqFxzNApjEpw-nyOn4gp4-5JrrINg3Q049HbEWPzannzcCP4GnMARDoevc9xboq9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a Feb. 14 meeting of the Local Government Committee, lawmakers heard House Bill 19-35, a technical change that would clarify that building permits are not “project permits” for the purposes of chapter 36.70B RCW, the statute that governs local government processing of project permit applications under the Growth Management Act.

Committee staffer Kellen Wright summarized the bill: “The bill before you is House Bill 19-35, an act relating to the definition of project permit and project permit application,” and explained it would explicitly provide that building permits are not project permits under chapter 36.70B RCW.

The nut graf: the change responds to confusion following 2023’s Senate Bill 5290, which established timelines for processing project permits. Supporters said 5290 intended to target discretionary land-use and civil permits that often drive development schedules, not building permits that typically focus on life-safety code checks and are processed more quickly.

Bill sponsor (Representative) told the committee the language is a “simple technical cleanup” requested by stakeholders who helped negotiate SB 5290. The sponsor said the legislature intended to exclude building permits from the project-permit definition because building permits are “less discretionary and typically are only a small portion of the approval process.” Representative Hunt asked whether the bill would change how building permits are processed; Kellen Wright and the sponsor said the bill is intended to clarify existing practice and that building permits “already typically meet the 120 day deadline.”

Industry and local-government groups testified in support. Andrea Smiley of the Building Industry Association of Washington said, “it is our experience and our members’ experience that it's the land use and civil permits … that take the longest,” and that excluding building permits aligns the statute with the law’s intent. Curtis Steinhauer, representing the State Association of Counties and regional planning directors, called it “a technical fix” and a “timing clarification.” Carl Schrader of the Association of Washington Cities said the change reflects what negotiators intended last year and noted the many different permit types handled under a building-permit process. Tim Woodward of the Washington Association of Building Officials said WABO “strongly supports this bill” and warned the lack of clarity could prompt undesirable triage of small building permits.

No committee action or final vote on HB 19-35 was recorded at the meeting; the item was presented as a public hearing with testimony and then the committee moved on to other bill briefings.","House Bill 19-35 would explicitly exclude building permits from the statutory definition of “project permit” in chapter 36.70B RCW. Supporters from the building industry, county planners and cities said the change is a narrow technical fix to avoid confusion created by 2023’s Senate Bill 5290 and to preserve existing permitting timelines.","actionData","errors"]

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Local Government Committee reports out bills on trails, WUI code, embodied carbon, planning deadlines and alarms; votes recorded

Committee hears bill to clarify building permits are not 'project permits' under Growth Management Act