Bill > HB2718

This bill aims to speed up the process of getting permits for transportation projects by creating a multiagency permit program, where regulatory agency staff work with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide early coordination, expedited reviews, and guidance. This program will help DOT project teams develop complete applications, suggest ways to avoid or minimize environmental impacts, and ensure meetings with permitting agencies happen within 30 days to find ways to expedite permit issuance. The bill also mandates that within 90 days of a meeting, a decision on the permit should be reached, and for certain permits like hydraulic project approvals, shoreline permits, state environmental policy act permits, and wastewater discharge permits, if no comments are received within 60 days of application submission, or if comments are addressed and no further issues arise within 30 days of resubmission, the permit is considered approved. Additionally, the bill requires collaboration with federally recognized tribes early and throughout the permitting process, and establishes programmatic agreements with federal and state agencies to expedite compliance with various environmental laws. The DOT will also develop templates for permit approvals, identify emergency provisions that can be used in non-emergency situations, centralize communication about permit progress, and create plans for programmatic permits based on project type, with a report on these efforts due to the legislature by December 1, 2027, and this section expiring on December 31, 2027.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2718&Year=2025&Initiative=false