Paper to Digital Grants
Agency
Commerce, Department of
Title of action
Paper to Digital Grants
Date significant agency action was initiated
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Category
New grant or loan program
Brief description of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment.
Commerce was tasked with implement the provisions of RCW 36.70B.241. The Legislature allocated $1.5 million for this purpose. Approximately $330,000 was available in unused funds to supplement this grant. This grant is intended to facilitate the conversion of city and county permit systems from paper based to fully digital systems. For example, some jurisdictions currently require paper applications with physical blueprints and internal paper routing and filing systems. These grants will help jurisdictions move to digital intake and processing allowing for remote applications and corrections and well as streamlined internal approval. This will help reduce the amount of time needed to approve permits and facilitate new residential construction.
Methods for providing public comment for agency consideration as part of the environmental justice assessment.
Public comments were taken by the Legislature during adoption of SB 5290 (2023) which was codified after adoption as RCW 36.70B.241. A public meeting was held on July 25, 2024 via MS Teams to allow prospective applicants to learn of grant application requirements and ask questions.
Link to agency webpage where the action is posted.
Status
