SB 6277: Envirnmntl permit cost-reimb

Summary

• $ Authorizes voluntary cost-reimbursement agreements between permit applicants and certain agencies for complex projects which require an environmental impact statement.
• $ Requires the hiring of independent consultants to work on the permits, but funds may be used for current staff to review the work of the consultants or to work on the permits when qualified consultants are unavailable.
• $ Allows the hiring of independent consultants to replace permanent staff diverted to work on permits covered by the agreements. Allows recovery of necessary direct and indirect costs to process the permits.
• $ Specifies that conflict of interest laws apply to these agreements and anyone hired under these agreements.
• $ Prohibits the supplanting of existing funding, and prohibits reducing the current level of staff to work on permits not covered by these agreements.
• $ Allows a water rights applicant to enter into an agreement with the Department of Ecology to process the application if the applicant agrees to pay for, or as part of a cooperative effort agrees to pay for, the cost of processing applications that are ahead in line.

From the Substitute House Bill Report (SSB 6277), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗