Anti-Vesting Bill Heard in Committee

The Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee held a hearing today on SB 6784

to radically alter our state’s vesting rights. In short, the bill would shift the point in vesting from the time of permit application to the time of permit approval.

The AIA/WA testified against the bill, citing the profoundly negative effects it would have on legal clarity and regulatory certainty.

SB 6784 would allow project and development opponents the ability to indefinitely block projects. All one would have to do is file a code or plan amendment and the vesting rights for an project pending approval are voided.

The bill is being pushed by Futurewise, an environmental group, and the United Food and Commercial Workers. Senator Adam Kline (D-37, Seattle) is the prime sponsor.

This issue will be one of several priority bills that AIA Washington members will educate lawmakers on during their annual legislative day on January It is not too late to attend AIA/WA’s Capitol Connections. For registration information, visit http://www.aiawa.org/.

Legislative Deadline Stops Anti-Vesting Bill

SB 5507 to significantly alter the laws for vesting projects under state law failed to pass a key step and died when the Senate adjourned yesterday. The AIA/WA had been actively lobbying against the bill and had gained key allies in legislature. On March 8, at an AIA/WA briefing, Governor Chris Gregoire expressed serious concerns about the bill and pledged to work with the design and construction community to stop the bill if it passed the Senate. A companion measure in the House was stopped in committee earlier this year.