OLYMPIA — A bill to energize construction of new homes in Snohomish and King counties has short-circuited in the Legislature.
The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties pushed to change state law to let developers in the two counties defer payment of fees for parks, roads and schools until a new home is sold rather than when building permits are obtained.
The House of Representatives approved the bill but it did not come up for a vote in the Senate.
Cities and school districts opposed the legislation. Civic and school leaders said those fees pay for doing work before new residents move in. Without the money upfront, work such as pouring sidewalks, creating parks and improving campuses will be delayed.
They also worried about the potential of ending up in court trying to collect overdue fees.
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