The bill amends RCW 35.92.385 to allow municipal utilities to waive connection charges for properties owned or developed by nonprofit organizations, public development authorities, housing authorities, or local agencies that provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, or affordable housing. The new language specifies that connection charges waived under this chapter must generally be funded through general funds, grant dollars, or other identified revenue streams. However, it introduces a provision for counties east of the Cascade Mountains with populations over 500,000, allowing waivers without the requirement to pay the exempted charges if the developer records a covenant restricting the property's use to the specified purposes, including price restrictions and household income limits.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a property that received a waiver no longer meets the eligibility requirements, the waiver is no longer valid, and any previously waived connection charges become due. The bill also clarifies definitions for terms such as "affordable housing," "connection charges," "emergency shelter," "permanent supportive housing," and "transitional housing," ensuring consistency with existing laws.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 35.92.385
Engrossed Bill: 35.92.385
Bill as Passed Legislature: 35.92.385