Official Text and Analysis.

Adds definitions of "freight rail dependent uses" and "short line railroad" to the Growth Management Act, and provides that railroad tracks and freight rail dependent uses are included within the definitions of "rural development" and "rural character".

Limits the scope of counties, and the cities within those counties, that may adopt development regulations that permit development of resource lands adjacent to short line railroads for freight rail dependent uses, to those counties that, for counties located to the east of the crest of the Cascade mountains, have a population of at least 240,000, and, for counties located to the west of the crest of the Cascade mountains, have both a population of at least 240,000 and a border that touches another state.

Removes railroad tracks from the definition of rural development. Removes access to railroad lines from the definition of urban governmental services.

Authorizes all counties east of the Cascades, rather than just those with at least 240,000 people, to: (1) Adopt development regulations to allow resource lands adjacent to short line railroads to be developed for freight rail dependent uses; and (2) Include development of freight rail dependent uses in the transportation element of their comprehensive plan and modify their development regulations to accommodate such uses.

Removes railroad tracks from the definition of rural character.