BILL · 2023–24 SESSION · LATEST VERSION SSB 5203

SB 5203: Climate change/planning

Improving the state's response to climate change by updating the state's planning framework.

Summary

Adds a goal of climate change and resiliency to the listed goals of the Growth Management Act (GMA).
Adds a climate change and resiliency element to the list of elements that must be included within the comprehensive plans that certain counties and cities must adopt under the GMA.
Requires certain counties and cities to address the adverse impacts of climate change on people, property, and ecological systems, and identify actions the jurisdiction will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) under the climate change and resiliency element of their comprehensive plan.
Specifies the process by which the GHG emissions reduction subelement of the climate change and resiliency element takes effect.
Requires the Department of Commerce to adopt guidance that creates a model climate change and resiliency element, and to publish guidelines that specify a set of actions counties and cities have available to them to take related to GHG emissions reductions and per capita VMT reductions.
Requires the Department of Ecology to update its Shoreline Master Program guidelines to address the impact of sea level rise and increased storm severity.

From the Senate Bill Report (SB 5203), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Did not pass Did not pass · died in committee

AN ACT Relating to improving the state's climate response through updates to the state's planning framework;

No recorded floor votes. This measure never reached a floor vote.

Jan 8, 2024By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status. (SSB 5203)
Jan 8, 2024By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.
Feb 10, 2023Referred to Ways & Means. (SSB 5203)
Feb 10, 2023Referred to Ways & Means.
Feb 9, 2023LGLT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass. (SSB 5203)
Feb 9, 2023Minority; do not pass. (SSB 5203)
Feb 9, 2023And refer to Ways & Means. (SSB 5203)
Feb 9, 2023And refer to Ways & Means.
Feb 9, 2023Minority; do not pass.
Feb 9, 2023LGLT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.
Jan 9, 2023First reading, referred to Local Government, Land Use & Tribal Affairs.
Jan 6, 2023Prefiled for introduction.

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

SB 5203 (2025–26) Wildlife safe passages · Did not pass · passed Senate, stalled in House
SB 5203 (2021–22) Generic prescription drugs · Enacted · Chapter 274, Laws of 2021
SB 5203 (2019–20) Inmate apprenticeship prog. · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5203 (2017–18) Transit infract./youth court · Did not pass · stalled on the Senate floor
SB 5203 (2015–16) Job order contracting · Enacted · Chapter 173, Laws of 2015
SB 5203 (2013–14) Animal cruelty prevention · Did not pass · died in committee
SB 5203 (2011–12) Sex offender registration · Enacted · Chapter 337, Laws of 2011
SB 5203 (2009–10) Autism disorders insurance · Did not pass · died in committee