WashingtonWashington requires early planning reviews for construction over $15 million
Washington’s budget office requires early reviews for major construction over $15 million, allows waivers, and must adjust the cutoff yearly for inflation starting July 1, 2027.
What it does
Major state construction projects costing more than $15 million require early planning reviews unless Washington’s budget office grants a waiver. The cutoff will adjust yearly for inflation starting July 1, 2027.
Construction applicants above the review cutoff must answer questions about local planning, funding, and environmental effects. Which questions apply depends on location and whether applicants seek state money.
Argument forYearly inflation adjustments could keep rising construction prices alone from pushing smaller projects into the required early review process.
Argument againstProjects below the cutoff may receive less early scrutiny of building needs, long-term costs, and construction risks.
More detail
Washington’s Office of Financial Management requires early planning reviews before approving spending plans for covered construction projects. The review covers major construction projects costing more than $15 million and examines building needs, costs, and construction plans. The office may waive some or all review requirements and must explain each waiver to legislative budget committees. Projects subject to this review do not need the separate space-planning review for new, expanded, or relocated state programs. Starting July 1, 2027, the office must adjust the cutoff each year using the inflation factor in its C-100 construction cost form.
The Office of Financial Management requests yes-or-no answers about project planning during early review. The questions cover proposed major construction projects costing more than $15 million that must complete an early planning review. Questions about local plans and growth apply to projects located in or serving cities or counties covered by the referenced state growth-planning law. Questions about regional coordination, other funding, and environmental effects apply to projects seeking state money. The $15 million cutoff for these questions will adjust annually using the C-100 form’s inflation factor beginning July 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 16Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 16Chapter 60, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 16Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 10Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 9President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 6Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 5Third reading, passed; yeas, 38; nays, 10; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#31). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 3Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Mar 2Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Mar 2Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Mar 2Minority; do not pass.Minor
- Mar 2WM - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Mar 2Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 24Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
- Feb 16First reading, referred to Ways & Means.Minor
- Feb 12Third reading, passed; yeas, 94; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 4.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#2). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 12Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 11Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 4Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Feb 4CB - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 4Executive action taken in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 29Public hearing in the House Committee on Capital Budget at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to Capital Budget.Minor
- Jan 9Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
Government & EthicsTaxes & Budget