The bill amends RCW 36.70A.070 to strengthen the requirements for comprehensive plans in Washington State, focusing on land use, housing, and rural development. It mandates that the land use element includes considerations for environmental justice, wildfire risk mitigation, and groundwater protection. The housing element is expanded to address the needs of all economic segments, particularly low-income households, and to identify and rectify racially disparate impacts in housing policies. Additionally, a new rural element is introduced, allowing for limited areas of more intensive rural development that prioritize infill and redevelopment while serving the existing rural population and preventing low-density sprawl.

Key provisions include the allowance for new commercial or industrial development within logical outer boundaries when economically necessary, and the definition of "essential rural retail services" to encompass necessary health and safety services. The bill also requires local jurisdictions to enhance transportation planning by developing inventories of state-owned facilities, establishing multimodal service standards, and forecasting transportation demand. A climate change and resiliency element is introduced, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing community resilience, particularly for overburdened communities. The bill outlines specific goals for natural area enhancement and natural hazard mitigation, while also allowing for compliance timeline extensions under certain conditions.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70A.070