Two sets of legislative proposals aim to incorporate climate change considerations into the Growth Management Act (GMA).

It has been several years since we have seen a concentrated effort to promote inclusion of climate-related considerations in the GMA. AWC staff will seek guidance from our Board. Please provide feedback to Shannon by Wednesday, January 22, to ensure we can consider your input before presenting to our Board.

Please provide feedback to Shannon by Wednesday, January 22, to ensure we can consider your input before presenting to our Board.

The bills take two fundamental approaches. One set of companion bills (HB 2427/SB 6453) takes a relatively narrow approach by adding a new goal to the GMA:

Goal 14: Climate change. Ensure that comprehensive plans, development regulations, and regional policies, plans, and strategies under RCW 11 36.70A.210 and chapter 47.80 RCW adapt to and mitigate the effects of a changing climate; support state greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements and state vehicle miles traveled goals; build resilient infrastructure; and nurture environmental, economic, and human health.

The second set of companion bills (HB 2609/SB 6335) takes a more comprehensive approach. In addition to the same goal language used in the above bills, HB 2609/SB 6335 include a much more specific GMA climate change and natural hazards resiliency element that is required to draw upon the land use and transportation elements. The new element is designed to:

• Result in reductions to greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transportation and land use systems within the jurisdiction. Reductions must be consistent with the jurisdiction’s allotted share of statewide emissions reductions as provided by a Department of Commerce process. Countywide Planning Policies and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations are also directed to take actions consistent with emissions reduction shares.
• Result in reductions in per capita vehicle miles traveled consistent with state goals in RCW 47.01.440.
• Avoid and build resiliency to the impacts of climate change such as sea level rise, landslides, flooding, drought, heat, smoke, wildfire, and other reasonably anticipated changes.

The new climate element must be finalized no later than two years prior to the current comprehensive plan review and revision deadlines. Adoptions of these elements are not subject to administrative or judicial appeal until January 1, 2029.

These requirements only affect Western Washington counties and their cities with 2019 population estimates from the Office of Financial Management that are greater than 100,000. For Eastern Washington counties and cities, there are three tiers of eligibility based on population:

• Greater than 500,000
• Greater than 200,000, but with an incorporated population less than 40,000
• Greater than 90,000, but with an incorporated population less than 15,000

We would appreciate your feedback on these proposals, especially ideas on how to make them more manageable for your community. Please provide your feedback to Shannon.

Dates to remember

HB 2427 is scheduled for public hearing in the House Environment & Energy Committee at 8 am on Thursday, January 23.

SB 6335 and SB 6453 are scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Local Government Committee at 8 am on Tuesday, January 21.