OLYMPIA — Washington lawmakers moved one step closer Thursday to a final legislative fix for the state Supreme Court’s Hirst decision, which has slowed or stopped new well water and building permits from being issued in counties across the state.
SB 6091, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim, was first heard in committee Tuesday. Several amendments allowed the bill to pass through the Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee with unanimous bipartisan support.
Amendments centered largely around the development of water resource inventory areas, which would localize oversight as opposed to universal oversight from the Washington State Department of Ecology. The department’s statewide regulations had been a key sticking point during the Hirst decision.
Well permit fees were reduced by amendment from $1,500 to $500 for new building permits or subdivisions.