Concerning land use development.

HB 2701 amends Washington state land use laws to prioritize housing affordability in local planning. It reorganizes the state's comprehensive planning goals, elevating "Housing" as a top priority to ensure plans accommodate affordable housing for all income levels, while adding new climate resiliency goals. The bill targets local governments and developers by streamlining approval processes for housing projects consistent with adopted plans, aiming to reduce delays and costs that contribute to the housing shortage. It removes outdated provisions and creates a new framework to address the state's housing crisis, particularly impacting rural and marginalized communities. The changes apply to all counties and cities required to follow the Growth Management Act.