The bill, known as the Housing Accountability Act, aims to improve compliance with housing element requirements under the Growth Management Act in Washington State. It introduces a new mandate for counties and cities planning under RCW 36.70A.040 to submit their housing elements and related development regulations to the department for review within specified timeframes. This includes submission within 10 days of any final action to amend or replace these elements and no later than six months after comprehensive plan updates or five-year progress reports are due. The department's review will assess compliance with various laws, and the housing elements or regulations will not take effect until a final compliance decision is issued. The bill also establishes a process for appealing the department's decisions and specifies conditions under which cities and counties can deny affordable or moderate-income housing developments.

Furthermore, the bill amends existing laws regarding the review of comprehensive land use plans and development regulations, introducing new requirements for housing elements to take effect as specified in the act. It clarifies that counties and cities must meet deadlines for development regulations to be eligible for grants and loans. The legislation outlines criteria for cities and towns to opt out of full reviews based on population size and growth rates, emphasizes public participation in the planning process, and mandates regular reviews of comprehensive plans. Additionally, it establishes new reporting requirements for counties with specific population densities and growth rates, focusing on housing affordability and greenhouse gas reduction efforts. The bill also includes provisions to exempt certain actions from administrative or judicial appeals and contains a severability clause to maintain the enforceability of remaining provisions if any part is deemed invalid.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70A.290, 36.70A.320, 36.70A.130