March 28th Hot List - State Senate

POSSIBLE SENATE FLOOR ACTION

ESHB 1469: Concerning landscape conservation and local infrastructure.

POSITION: SUPPORT

• Will empower our cities to make much-needed infrastructure improvements in exchange for working together to conserve potentially hundreds of thousands of acres of working farm and forest land.
• Brought forward by Cascade Land Conservancy, the bill is supported by a broad coalition including the environmental community, various cities & counties, Master Builders Association of King & Snohomish, Weyerhaueser, etc.

EHB 1702: Establishing a process for the payment of impact fees through provisions stipulated in recorded covenants.

POSITION: OPPOSE

• Makes the impact fee process more expensive and less certain.
• We are joined in opposition to this bill by the cities, fire chiefs, and schools districts.

ESHB 1721: Preventing storm water pollution from coal tar sealants

POSITION: SUPPORT

• Eliminating coal tar sealants in Washington is a free, efficient and effective way to protect public health and limit stormwater contamination. USGS studies have shown that coal tar emits pollutants that are bad for children’s health and the environment.
• Because there are cost-effective alternatives readily available, this bill has no Washington-based business opposition, and is supported by public health interests, local governments, land managers and water purveyors. It passed the House with a strong bi-partisan vote.

SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION

ESHB 1071: Creating a complete streets grant program.

Transportation: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT

• This legislation would position Washington strongly to compete for future federal funds designated for Complete Streets. More than 100 agencies nationwide have implemented Complete Streets policies, including 16 states and six municipalities in Washington.
• Rather than applying a cookie cutter design to every corridor, planners work with communities to develop project that are appropriate for various functions of the roadway. The result is a streetscape that is safer and more accessible for all users that promotes livable communities.

SHB 1186: Concerning requirements under the state's oil spill program.

Ways and Means: Public Hearing
POSITION: SUPPORT

• This bill is designed to ensure that the state is well prepared for a major oil spill. Requires oil companies to invest in state-of-art spill response equipment.
• Provides training and equipment for commercial fishermen so that they can help respond in the event of a spill.

SHB 1700: Modifying the requirements related to designing various transportation projects.

Transportation: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT

• This bill simply allows flexibility for cities, counties and developers to use updated guidelines for designing for bike and pedestrian uses.
• This bill will improve public safety, protect our environment, and promote healthy communities.

HB 1886: Implementing recommendations of the Ruckelshaus Center process.

Ways & Means: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: SUPPORT

• Implements the agreement worked out between the counties and agricultural & environmental interests after 3.5 years of negotiations at the Ruckelshaus Center. We are all supporting an amendment that responds to concerns raised by a few tribes.
• Creates an alternative to the GMA for protecting critical areas and maintaining agricultural viability, by creating a voluntary stewardship program. We are all seeking federal funding to pay for the program.

SB 5862: Regarding the administration of natural resources programs.

Natural Resources & Marine Waters: Possible Executive Session
POSITION: OPPOSE

• This bill reduces environmental protection while combining two types of forestry-related permits and raising fees.
• We are concerned that the bill will require understaffed agencies to take on major new administrative work “integrating” the hydraulics code into the forest practices regulations; that the agency with the expertise to determine what’s needed to protect fish loses its ability to ensure that protection; and four-year logging permits weaken the foundation of the state’s Forests and Fish Habitat Conservation Plan.