Rulemaking Notice
Commerce to initiate Growth Management Act rulemaking
The Washington State Department of Commerce is preparing to update administrative rules for the Growth Management Act (GMA). A CR-101, intent for rulemaking, was filed on Jan. 17, 2024.
The rulemaking effort responds to HB 1181 (2023) which calls for the addition of a new climate element in comprehensive plans. The rulemaking will address requirements for the climate element, including the (1) climate resilience sub-element and (2) greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction sub-element (required of a smaller subset of jurisdictions). The rulemaking will also address Commerce’s new regulatory authority to review and approve GHG sub-elements voluntarily submitted by cities and counties. More information on the climate planning effort is available on the climate program webpage.
What's next?
Over the next several months, Commerce will consider amending several chapters of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) to address the requirements of HB 1181.
The subject of possible rulemaking includes:
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Chapter 365-196 WAC: Procedural Criteria for Adopting Comprehensive Plans and Development Regulations.
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Chapter 365-199 WAC: Procedures for Determination of Compliance for Jurisdictions Seeking Voluntary Reversion to Partial Planning Status.
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Chapter 365-195 WAC: Growth Management Act – Best Available Science.
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Chapter 365-190 WAC: Minimum Guideline to Classify Agriculture, Forest, Mineral Lands, and Critical Areas.
Aligned rulemaking efforts to address HB 1181 will also be conducted by the Washington Department of Health and Ecology.
More information
This notification is intended to provide initial information about the rulemaking process and where you can find additional information. Commerce's Growth Management Climate team will seek public input in early 2024 to continue this rulemaking process.
Please subscribe to our “planning for climate change” list service to receive updates. Additional materials will be posted on our rulemaking webpage as they become available.
Contacts
Please contact Debra Srebnik if you have questions, or comments, or want to learn more about this rulemaking effort.
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