WashingtonPermit appeals can use alternative hearing groups with unanimous approval
Washington permit appeals can use a qualified judge or a smaller or mixed hearing group when all parties agree and the hearings board unanimously approves.
What it does
For a permit appeal, all parties may agree to have a qualified judge or a smaller or mixed group of board members hear the case, with unanimous board approval.
Argument forPermit appeals could use administrative resources more efficiently when qualified judges or members of related boards hear them.
Argument againstAppellants might have fewer hearings board members consider their case when all parties agree to an alternative group.
More detail
The pollution control hearings board may use an alternative group to hear a permit appeal. This applies to permit appeals before the pollution control hearings board. Every party to the appeal must consent, and the hearings board must approve the alternative group unanimously. The group may be a qualified administrative appeals judge, a qualified member of a related state board, or a combination of qualified members. The board must prioritize efficient use of administrative resources when choosing the group; the usual majority quorum rule does not apply to these alternative groups. The law took effect June 11, 2026.
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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 18Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 18Chapter 98, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 18Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 12Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 12President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 11Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 6Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#30). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Mar 5Placed on second reading by Rules Committee.Minor
- Feb 23Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 20ENET - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 20Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 10:30 AM.
- Feb 18Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Environment, Energy & Technology at 8:00 AM.
- Feb 13First reading, referred to Environment, Energy & Technology.Minor
- Feb 11Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#19). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 6Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Feb 3Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Jan 29Minority; without recommendation.Minor
- Jan 29ENVI - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Jan 29Executive action taken in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 20Public hearing in the House Committee on Environment & Energy at 4:00 PM.
- Jan 13First reading, referred to Environment & Energy.Introduced
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