Considering critical aquifer recharge areas when revising an urban growth area.
SB 6016 requires Washington counties and cities to consider critical aquifer recharge areas - zones where water replenishes underground sources - when updating urban growth boundaries. It amends land use planning rules to mandate that these areas be protected during revisions, prohibiting expansion of urban growth areas into agricultural, forest, or mineral lands. Cities with populations under 500 may qualify for simplified reviews if they meet specific growth criteria, but must still update critical areas regulations. The bill ensures new development plans align with water protection requirements during regular comprehensive plan updates.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 7, 2026
Last action Feb 26, 2026
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What changed between versions
Bill
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Substitute Bill
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4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was renumbered from S-3767.1 to S-4224.1 and updated with new legislative history reflecting its referral to the Senate Local Government committee. The core policy text regarding urban growth area reviews and critical aquifer recharge areas remains substantively unchanged, with the only modifications being formatting adjustments and the addition of a page number header.
TECHNICAL
Bill number changed from S-3767.1 to S-4224.1.
Sponsorship attribution updated to 'Senate Local Government' instead of individual senators.
Read first time date updated from 01/12/26 to 01/30/26.
Added page number headers (e.g., 'p. 1 SSB 6016') to the text.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Minority; without recommendation.
upper
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 1:30 PM.
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive session scheduled, but no action was taken in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 1:30 PM.
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Local Government at 1:30 PM.
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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