Bill > HB1519

This bill aims to improve the predictability and consistency of the local project review process in Washington. The key provisions of the bill include: 1. Establishing timelines for local governments to issue final decisions on different types of project permits, generally within 45-120 days of determining an application is complete, unless modified by the local government. The bill also requires fee refunds if the timelines are not met. 2. Requiring local governments to track and report on their performance in meeting the permit timelines, and encouraging them to adopt various best practices to expedite the permit process. 3. Providing technical assistance and guidance from the Department of Commerce to local governments on setting reasonable permit fees to recover their true costs. 4. Clarifying the process for administrative appeals of threshold determinations under the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and consolidating them with appeals of the project permit decision. The overall intent of the bill is to create more predictable and efficient local permit processes to help address the state's housing crisis and support new home construction.