H-1601.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2041
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1993 Regular Session
By Representatives Jacobsen, Romero and Basich
Read first time 02/24/93. Referred to Committee on Capital Budget.
AN ACT Relating to facilities for health and wellness services; adding new sections to chapter 43.63A RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:
(a) Physical wellness is important for the positive growth and development of the mind and body through educational, recreational, and leadership programs;
(b) Nonprofit organizations have provided these services to state employees, children, and adults in the community in an affordable and accessible manner;
(c) Physical wellness services provided through nonprofit organizations develop self-confidence and positive values, promote healthier lifestyles through greater awareness and appreciation of physical wellness that will lead to a more productive life, advocate volunteerism, and promote positive alternatives and self-esteem to teenagers;
(d) Many nonprofit organizations have made their physical and educational wellness services accessible to low-income people through subsidized financial assistance and by providing child care;
(e) Some nonprofit organizations are not able to keep pace with the growing and changing demand for physical wellness services due to outdated and inadequate facilities; and
(f) In some areas of the state, the state of Washington is the largest employer and there exists a need for affordable health and wellness programs to serve this population.
(2) The legislature declares that it is in the public interest to provide financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in the construction or renovation of existing facilities used to provide health and wellness programs to state employees and low-income people.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
There is hereby created in the state treasury an account to be known as the Washington wellness facilities trust fund. The wellness facilities trust fund shall include revenue from the sources established by this chapter, appropriations by the legislature, private contributions, grants from public and private sources, transfer of funds not needed to complete a capital project, and all other sources. Revenue in the wellness facilities trust fund shall only be used for the purposes of section 3 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
(1) The department of community development shall establish and administer a program which makes grants to eligible local nonprofit organizations to assist in the delivery of physical wellness programs. The grants shall be used to either construct a new facility, or renovate an existing facility where educational, recreational, or leadership programs are provided to persons including state employees and low-income persons.
(2) Eligibility for grants under this section shall be limited to eligible local nonprofit organizations that are:
(a) Incorporated as a nonprofit organization under federal, state, or local laws; and have among their purposes significant activities relating to the provision of physical wellness services;
(b) Located in cities or towns where state employment constitutes fifteen percent or more of the total employment. For the purposes of this section, "state employment" does not include employment associated with higher education as defined in RCW 43.170.020; and
(c) Able to match each dollar of state grant funds with at least one dollar from nonstate sources for the same purposes.
(3) The department of community development shall announce the availability of grant funds under this section to all known eligible local nonprofit organizations that meet the requirements of subsection (2) of this section. The application period shall be of a period of at least ninety days' duration.
(4) The department of community development shall have the authority to adopt rules pursuant to chapter 34.05 RCW, regarding the grant process, and the substance of eligible projects, consistent with this section.
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