Introduced by Rep. Sharon Nelson, (D-Vashon) (D) on January 21, 2009, to add greenhouse gases reductions to the goals of the Growth Management Act. This bill would amend the Growth Management Act to require densities and transportation planning that would encourage walking and/or use of public transit. Among other things this bill requires changes to comprehensive plans that will support reduction of greenhouse gasses through increased densities and use of transit. (See also Companion SB 5687).
Referred to the House Local Government & Housing Committee on January 21, 2009.
Substitute offered in the Senate on February 19, 2009, makes several changes to the original bill including removing all comprehensive plan and development regulation requirements for transit-oriented development within one-half mile of a major transit station and specifying that comprehensive plans and development regulations should encourage development along transit lines and at major transit stations at levels that support transit-oriented communities. Other changes include, modifying the changes to the environment goal, removing housing element revisions, modifying LOS requirements for transportation elements, modifying concurrency requirements for transportation elements, among other things. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on February 19, 2009.
Referred to the House Transportation Committee on February 23, 2009.
Referred to the House General Government Appropriations Committee on February 23, 2009.
Referred to the House Rules Committee on March 2, 2009.
1) Re: 2009 House Bill 1490 (Reducing greenhouse gas emissions) [by SIDNY on February 16, 2009]
This sounds like a blueprint for a socialist utopia. This is social engineering on steroids. Washington, what were you thinking when you elected the sponsors of this bill?