The bill amends RCW 36.70A.367 to extend the deadline for rural counties to collect sales and use tax for economic development purposes and to designate industrial land banks under the Growth Management Act. It allows counties that meet specific population and geographic criteria to establish a process for designating up to two master planned locations for major industrial activity outside urban growth areas. The bill outlines a two-step approval process for these locations, which includes the designation of an industrial land bank area in the comprehensive plan and subsequent approval of specific major industrial developments.

Key changes in the bill include the adjustment of population thresholds for counties eligible to designate industrial land banks, with new criteria specifying populations greater than 250,000, 140,000, and 40,000, among others. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions for counties that did not designate an industrial land bank before December 31, 2016, allowing them to do so if they meet certain conditions, including being a rural county with a population under 70,000 that borders a county with over 2,000,000 residents. The bill also emphasizes the need for public notice and a written determination of criteria used for siting industrial land banks.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 36.70A.367
Substitute bill: 36.70A.367