Bill > HB2418

This bill aims to streamline and expedite the permit review processes for various government entities in Washington State. It introduces new definitions for "development regulations" and clarifies what constitutes a "project permit," notably excluding building permits and certain utility district determinations. The bill mandates that local governments must provide a "procedural completeness" determination within 28 days of receiving a project permit application, emphasizing that this is not a substantive review. It also establishes stricter timelines for local governments to issue final decisions on project permits, with penalties like fee refunds for delays, and introduces provisions for fee refunds for other government entities, including public utility districts and the state department of ecology, if they miss deadlines for residential project permit reviews. Furthermore, the bill requires local governments to designate a single point of contact for permit applications and, for residential projects, a permit responsible official who also serves as the lead agency's responsible official for environmental reviews. Finally, it updates reporting requirements for local governments on their permitting performance.