Washington 2021-2022 Regular Session Status: Enacted Bipartisan · 3 D · 1 R cosponsors

SB 5275 — Enhancing opportunity in limited areas of more intense rural development.

Last action — Effective date 6/9/2022.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2021. Enacted.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 96% · high confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    1 primary, 4 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (3 D · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

332 added · 315 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes made to Bill SB 5275 highlight the pressing need for affordable housing in rural areas, particularly for essential public employees like teachers and nurses. The new language emphasizes the struggles rural counties face due to outdated boundaries from the Growth Management Act, which limits their ability to develop housing in response to current demands. By proposing flexibility in land use within these boundaries, the bill aims to address the housing shortages that rural communities are experiencing, potentially making it easier for them to adapt to new challenges in housing and job availability. This could lead to enhanced support for public services in rural areas and improve overall community well-being.

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ENGROSSED SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5275 State of Washington 67th Legislature 2021 Regular Session By Senate Housing & Local Government (originally sponsored by Senators Short, Lovelett, Das, Wellman, and Wilson, C.) READ FIRST TIME 02/15/21.
S-0443.1 SENATE BILL 5275 State of Washington 67th Legislature 2021 Regular Session By Senators Short, Lovelett, Das, Wellman, and Wilson, C.
Read first time 01/19/21.
Referred to Committee on Housing & Local Government.
and reenacting and amending RCW 36.70A.070.
reenacting and amending RCW 36.70A.070;
and creating a new section.
NEW SECTION.
Affordable housing in rural areas for essential public employees such as teachers, nurses, and other public servants is in high demand.
Rural counties in Washington are struggling to meet these demands as well as comply with the restrictions of the rural element of the growth management act.
This inability to increase development has led to a housing shortage even in rural areas.
Limited areas of more intense rural development were instituted at the first passage of the growth management act in the 1990's.
These areas are confined by a boundary set almost 30 years ago.
Rural counties have struggled to develop under the growth management act.
It is almost impossible for these counties to react to development pressures and societal pressures for housing and jobs under these conditions.
The legislature finds that reform is necessary.
Additionally, the legislature finds that providing flexibility with regard to the uses allowed within the boundary may alleviate some of these struggles.
The legislature finds that it is important for rural p.
1 SB 5275 counties to adopt creative solutions to the conflicts caused by development pressures.
Sec.
2.
The land use element shall include population densities, building p.
The land use element shall include population densities, building intensities, and estimates of future population growth.
1 ESSB 5275 intensities, and estimates of future population growth.
and (d) makes adequate provisions for existing and projected needs of all economic segments of the community.
and (d) makes adequate provisions for existing and p.
2 SB 5275 projected needs of all economic segments of the community.
p.
(4) A utilities element consisting of the general location, proposed location, and capacity of all existing and proposed utilities, including, but not limited to, electrical lines, telecommunication lines, and natural gas lines.
2 ESSB 5275 (4) A utilities element consisting of the general location, proposed location, and capacity of all existing and proposed utilities, including, but not limited to, electrical lines, telecommunication lines, and natural gas lines.
To achieve a variety of rural densities and uses, counties may provide for clustering, density transfer, design guidelines, conservation easements, and other innovative techniques that will accommodate appropriate rural economic advancement, densities, and uses that are not characterized by urban growth and that are consistent with rural character.
To achieve a variety of rural densities and uses, counties may provide for clustering, density transfer, design guidelines, conservation easements, and p.
3 SB 5275 other innovative techniques that will accommodate appropriate rural economic advancement, densities, and uses that are not characterized by urban growth and that are consistent with rural character.
Subject to the requirements of this subsection and except as otherwise specifically provided in this subsection (5)(d), the rural element may allow for limited areas of more intensive rural development, p.
Subject to the requirements of this subsection and except as otherwise specifically provided in this subsection (5)(d), the rural element may allow for limited areas of more intensive rural development, including necessary public facilities and public services to serve the limited area as follows:
3 ESSB 5275 including necessary public facilities and public services to serve the limited area as follows:
(C) Any development or redevelopment in terms of building size, scale, use, or intensity ((shall be consistent with the character of the existing areas)) may be permitted subject to confirmation from all existing providers of public facilities and public services of sufficient capacity of existing public facilities and public services to serve any new or additional demand from the new development or redevelopment.
(C) Any development or redevelopment in terms of building size, scale, use, or intensity ((shall be consistent with the character of the existing areas)) may be permitted subject to confirmation from all existing providers of public facilities and public services of sufficient capacity of existing public facilities and public services to serve any new or additional demand from the new development or p.
Development and redevelopment may include changes in use from vacant land or a previously existing use so long as the new use conforms to the requirements of this subsection (5) and is consistent with the local character.
4 SB 5275 redevelopment.
Any commercial development or redevelopment within a mixed-use area must be principally designed to serve the existing and projected rural population and must meet the following requirements:
Development and redevelopment may include changes in use from vacant land or a previously existing use so long as the new use conforms to the requirements of this subsection (5) and is consistent with the local character;
(I) Any included retail or food service space must not exceed the footprint of previously occupied space or 5,000 square feet, whichever is greater, for the same or similar use;
and (II) Any included retail or food service space must not exceed 2,500 square feet for a new use;
Public services and public p.
Public services and public facilities shall be limited to those necessary to serve the recreation or tourist use and shall be provided in a manner that does not permit low-density sprawl;
4 ESSB 5275 facilities shall be limited to those necessary to serve the recreation or tourist use and shall be provided in a manner that does not permit low-density sprawl;
The county shall establish the logical outer boundary of an area of more intensive rural development.
The county shall establish the logical outer boundary of p.
5 SB 5275 an area of more intensive rural development.
(v) For purposes of this subsection (5)(d) ((of this subsection)), an existing area or existing use is one that was in existence:
(v) In counties east of the Cascades, the logical outer boundary of the existing area may include the existing utility service areas and facilities pursuant to (d)(vi) of this subsection and consider needed upgrades and replacement of related infrastructure including the economies of scale for such service-related infrastructures and affordability for rate payers.
p.
(vi) For purposes of (d) of this subsection, an existing area or existing use is one that was in existence:
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5 ESSB 5275 (A) On July 1, 1990, in a county that was initially required to plan under all of the provisions of this chapter;
(A) On July 1, 1990, in a county that was initially required to plan under all of the provisions of this chapter;
(iii) Facilities and services needs, including:
p.
6 SB 5275 (iii) Facilities and services needs, including:
The purposes of reflecting level of service standards for state highways in the local comprehensive plan are to monitor the performance of the system, to evaluate improvement strategies, and to facilitate coordination p.
The purposes of reflecting level of service standards for state highways in the local comprehensive plan are to monitor the performance of the system, to evaluate improvement strategies, and to facilitate coordination between the county's or city's six-year street, road, or transit program and the office of financial management's ten-year investment program.
6 ESSB 5275 between the county's or city's six-year street, road, or transit program and the office of financial management's ten-year investment program.
(B) A multiyear financing plan based on the needs identified in the comprehensive plan, the appropriate parts of which shall serve as the basis for the six-year street, road, or transit program required by RCW 35.77.010 for cities, RCW 36.81.121 for counties, and RCW 35.58.2795 for public transportation systems.
(B) A multiyear financing plan based on the needs identified in the comprehensive plan, the appropriate parts of which shall serve as p.
7 SB 5275 the basis for the six-year street, road, or transit program required by RCW 35.77.010 for cities, RCW 36.81.121 for counties, and RCW 35.58.2795 for public transportation systems.
(vii) Pedestrian and bicycle component to include collaborative efforts to identify and designate planned improvements for pedestrian p.
(vii) Pedestrian and bicycle component to include collaborative efforts to identify and designate planned improvements for pedestrian and bicycle facilities and corridors that address and encourage enhanced community access and promote healthy lifestyles.
7 ESSB 5275 and bicycle facilities and corridors that address and encourage enhanced community access and promote healthy lifestyles.
(c) The transportation element described in this subsection (6), the six-year plans required by RCW 35.77.010 for cities, RCW 36.81.121 for counties, and RCW 35.58.2795 for public transportation systems, and the ten-year investment program required by RCW 47.05.030 for the state, must be consistent.
(c) The transportation element described in this subsection (6), the six-year plans required by RCW 35.77.010 for cities, RCW 36.81.121 for counties, and RCW 35.58.2795 for public transportation p.
8 SB 5275 systems, and the ten-year investment program required by RCW 47.05.030 for the state, must be consistent.
Requirements to incorporate any such new p.
Requirements to incorporate any such new or amended elements shall be null and void until funds sufficient to cover applicable local government costs are appropriated and distributed by the state at least two years before local government must update comprehensive plans as required in RCW 36.70A.130.
8 ESSB 5275 or amended elements shall be null and void until funds sufficient to cover applicable local government costs are appropriated and distributed by the state at least two years before local government must update comprehensive plans as required in RCW 36.70A.130.
9 ESSB 5275
9 SB 5275
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Action History

  1. Effective date 6/9/2022.

  2. Chapter 220, 2022 Laws.

  3. Governor signed.

  4. Delivered to Governor.

  5. Speaker signed.

  6. President signed.

  7. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1.

  8. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  9. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  10. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  11. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:00 AM

  12. LG - Majority; do pass.

  13. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:00 AM.

  14. Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:00 AM.

  15. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 08:00 AM

  16. Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 8:00 AM.

  17. First reading, referred to Local Government.

  18. Third reading, passed; yeas, 46; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 2.

  19. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  20. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  21. Returned to second reading for amendment.

  22. Rules suspended.

  23. Placed on third reading by Rules Committee.

  24. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  25. By resolution, returned to Senate Rules Committee for third reading.

  26. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.

  27. Referred to Rules 2 Review.

  28. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 08:30 AM

  29. LG - Majority; do pass.

  30. Executive action taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 8:30 AM.

  31. Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:00 AM.

  32. Scheduled for public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:00 AM

  33. Public hearing in the House Committee on Local Government at 10:00 AM.

  34. First reading, referred to Local Government.

  35. Third reading, passed; yeas, 45; nays, 4; absent, 0; excused, 0.

  36. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.

  37. Floor amendment(s) adopted.

  38. 1st substitute bill substituted (HLG 21).

  39. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.

  40. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  41. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing & Local Government at 08:00 AM

  42. Minority; without recommendation.

  43. HLG - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  44. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Housing & Local Government at 8:00 AM.

  45. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing & Local Government at 10:30 AM

  46. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Housing & Local Government at 10:30 AM.

  47. First reading, referred to Housing & Local Government.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 146 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (146)

146 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 146 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#31)

Passed 96 Yea · 1 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 26000
Democrat 48000
Unaffiliated 22101
Total 96101
% of votes cast 98%1%0%1%
How each member voted (98)
Member Party Vote
Chambers — Yea
Chandler — Yea
Chopp — Yea
Cody — Yea
Dolan — Yea
Gilday — Yea
Harris-Talley — Yea
Hoff — Yea
Kirby — Yea
Klippert — Yea
Kraft — Nay
Kretz — Yea
Maycumber — Yea
McCaslin — Yea
Mosbrucker — Yea
Robertson — Not Voting
Sells — Yea
Sullivan — Yea
Sutherland — Yea
Vick — Yea
Wicks — Yea
Wilcox — Yea
Young — Yea
Johnson, J. — Yea
Alex Ramel Democrat Yea
Alicia Rule Democrat Yea
Amy Walen Democrat Yea
April Berg Democrat Yea
Bill Ramos Democrat Yea
Brandy Donaghy Democrat Yea
Cindy Ryu Democrat Yea
Dan Bronoske Democrat Yea
Dave Paul Democrat Yea
David Hackney Democrat Yea
Davina Duerr Democrat Yea
Debra Entenman Democrat Yea
Debra Lekanoff Democrat Yea
Drew Hansen Democrat Yea
Gerry Pollet Democrat Yea
Jake Fey Democrat Yea
Jamila Taylor Democrat Yea
Javier Valdez Democrat Yea
Jessica Bateman Democrat Yea
Joe Fitzgibbon Democrat Yea
Larry Springer Democrat Yea
Lauren Davis Democrat Yea
Laurie Jinkins Democrat Yea
Lillian Ortiz-Self Democrat Yea
Lisa Callan Democrat Yea
Liz Berry Democrat Yea
Marcus Riccelli Democrat Yea
Mari Leavitt Democrat Yea
Melanie Morgan Democrat Yea
Mia Gregerson Democrat Yea
Mike Chapman Democrat Yea
Monica Jurado Stonier Democrat Yea
My-Linh Thai Democrat Yea
Nicole Macri Democrat Yea
Noel Frame Democrat Yea
Roger Goodman Democrat Yea
Sharon Shewmake Democrat Yea
Sharon Tomiko Santos Democrat Yea
Sharon Wylie Democrat Yea
Shelley Kloba Democrat Yea
Steve Bergquist Democrat Yea
Steve Tharinger Democrat Yea
Strom Peterson Democrat Yea
Tana Senn Democrat Yea
Tarra Simmons Democrat Yea
Timm Ormsby Democrat Yea
Tina Orwall Democrat Yea
Vandana Slatter Democrat Yea
Alex Ybarra Republican Yea
Andrew Barkis Republican Yea
Carolyn Eslick Republican Yea
Chris Corry Republican Yea
Cyndy Jacobsen Republican Yea
Dan Griffey Republican Yea
Drew MacEwen Republican Yea
Drew Stokesbary Republican Yea
Ed Orcutt Republican Yea
Jenny Graham Republican Yea
Jeremie Dufault Republican Yea
Jim Walsh Republican Yea
Joe Schmick Republican Yea
Joel McEntire Republican Yea
Keith Goehner Republican Yea
Mark Klicker Republican Yea
Mary Dye Republican Yea
Matt Boehnke Republican Yea
Michelle Valdez Republican Yea
Mike Steele Republican Yea
Mike Volz Republican Yea
Paul Harris Republican Yea
Peter Abbarno Republican Yea
Rob Chase Republican Yea
Skyler Rude Republican Yea
Tom Dent Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#20)

Passed 46 Yea · 1 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 17001
Republican 12001
Democrat 17100
Total 46102
% of votes cast 94%2%0%4%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Billig — Yea
Brown — Not Voting
Carlyle — Yea
Das — Yea
Frockt — Yea
Hawkins — Yea
Honeyford — Yea
Keiser — Yea
Kuderer — Yea
Mullet — Yea
Padden — Yea
Randall — Yea
Rivers — Yea
Rolfes — Yea
Sefzik — Yea
Sheldon — Yea
Van De Wege — Yea
Wilson, L. — Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Yea
Joe Nguyen Democrat Yea
John Lovick Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Nay
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Yasmin Trudeau Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Not Voting
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

3rd Reading & Final Passage (#16)

Passed 45 Yea · 4 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 18200
Republican 13000
Democrat 14200
Total 45400
% of votes cast 92%8%0%0%
How each member voted (49)
Member Party Vote
Billig — Yea
Brown — Yea
Carlyle — Yea
Darneille — Yea
Das — Yea
Ericksen — Yea
Frockt — Yea
Hawkins — Yea
Hobbs — Yea
Honeyford — Yea
Keiser — Yea
Kuderer — Yea
Mullet — Yea
Padden — Yea
Randall — Nay
Rivers — Yea
Rolfes — Nay
Sheldon — Yea
Van De Wege — Yea
Wilson, L. — Yea
Annette Cleveland Democrat Yea
Bob Hasegawa Democrat Yea
Claire Wilson Democrat Yea
Derek Stanford Democrat Yea
Jamie Pedersen Democrat Yea
Jesse Salomon Democrat Nay
Joe Nguyen Democrat Yea
June Robinson Democrat Yea
Lisa Wellman Democrat Yea
Liz Lovelett Democrat Yea
Manka Dhingra Democrat Yea
Marko Liias Democrat Nay
Rebecca Saldaña Democrat Yea
Steve Conway Democrat Yea
T'wina Nobles Democrat Yea
Victoria Hunt Democrat Yea
Chris Gildon Republican Yea
Curtis King Republican Yea
Jeff Holy Republican Yea
Jeff Wilson Republican Yea
Jim McCune Republican Yea
John Braun Republican Yea
Judy Warnick Republican Yea
Keith Wagoner Republican Yea
Mark Schoesler Republican Yea
Perry Dozier Republican Yea
Phil Fortunato Republican Yea
Ron Muzzall Republican Yea
Shelly Short Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

housing environment agriculture
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5275?
SB 5275 is sponsored by Claire Wilson (Democrat), Lisa Wellman (Democrat), Das, Liz Lovelett (Democrat), and Shelly Short (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 5275?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 19, 2021. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 5275?
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