Kilmer bills on permitting, construction and infrastructure await signature

OLYMPIA — Permitting processes would be more open under a bill passed today by the state Senate and sent to the governor for her signature.

Senate Bill 5508, sponsored by Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, would improve government services while furthering local economic growth. The measure, known as the “Permitting Bill of Rights,” would provide an incentive for city, county and state agencies to inform permit applicants regarding how long a permitting decision will take, the amount of information needed for a decision, when an application will be considered complete and, in writing, any reasons for the denial of a permit. In addition, how well agencies provide this information would be evaluated and considered when local governments apply for funding from the Public Works Board, Community Economic Revitalization Board, or Job Development Fund program.

“Efficient and transparent permitting processes can mean the difference between new investment and no investment — between new jobs and no jobs,” Kilmer said. “This bill should improve service and response time.”

The Senate also passed three other Kilmer measures, SB 5512, 5402 and 5862, now on their way to the governor.

SB 5512 would provide new funding from the state to improve the interchange at Gig Harbor North to accommodate increased traffic to enable a new hospital to be built. The bill modifies last year’s Hospital Benefit Zone Financing program, adding flexibility and the capacity to provide up to $60 million in state funding for infrastructure improvements over the next 30 years.

SB 5402 would strengthen oversight for vocational schools, allow state officials to intervene if a private school is at risk of closing, and provide transition assistance to students if their school closes without having made adequate provisions.

SB 5862 would modify deadlines, grant requirements and state funding provisions to make it easier to provide passenger-only ferry service.

Return to Sen. Kilmer's home page