(1) The office of regulatory assistance is created in the office of financial management and shall be administered by the office of the governor to assist citizens, businesses, and project proponents.

     (2) The office shall:

     (a) Maintain and furnish information as provided in RCW 43.42.040;

     (b) Furnish facilitation as provided in RCW 43.42.050;

     (c) Furnish coordination as provided in RCW 43.42.060;

     (d) Coordinate cost reimbursement as provided in RCW 43.42.070;

     (e) Work with governmental agencies to continue to develop a range of permitting and regulatory assistance options for project proponents;

     (f) Help local jurisdictions comply with the requirements of RCW 36.70B.080 by:

     (i) Providing information about best practices and compliance with the requirements of RCW 36.70B.080; and

     (ii) Providing technical assistance in reducing the turnaround time between submittal of an application for a development permit and the issuance of the permit;

     (g) Work to develop informal processes for dispute resolution between agencies and permit proponents;

     (h) Conduct customer surveys to evaluate its effectiveness; and

     (i) Provide the following reports by June 1, 2008, and biennially thereafter, to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature:

     (i) A performance report, based on the customer surveys required in (h) of this subsection;

     (ii) A report on any conflicts identified by the office in the course of its duties arising from differing statutory or regulatory authorities, roles and missions of agencies, timing and sequencing of permitting and procedural requirements, or otherwise, and how these were resolved; and

     (iii) A report regarding negotiation and implementation of voluntary cost-reimbursement agreements and use of outside independent consultants under RCW 43.42.070, including the nature and amount of work performed and implementation of requirements relating to costs.

     (3) The office shall ensure the equitable delivery and provision of assistance services, regardless of project type, scale, fund source, or assistance request.

[2007 c 231 § 5; 2007 c 94 § 2; 2003 c 71 § 2; 2002 c 153 § 2.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2007 c 94 § 2 and by 2007 c 231 § 5, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

     Findings -- Recommendations -- Reports encouraged -- 2007 c 231: See note following RCW 43.155.070.

     Sunset Act application: See note following RCW 43.42.005.