Brief Description: Clarifying community economic revitalization board membership provisions.

Sponsors: Senators Hale, T. Sheldon and Schmidt.

Hearing Date: 3/21/03

Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) program was created in 1982 to provide direct loans and grants to counties, cities, and special purpose districts for economic development-related infrastructure improvements. The CERB financing is available for public improvements that include the acquisition, construction, or repair of domestic and industrial water, sewer and storm water infrastructure; bridge, railroad, electricity, telecommunication, and road improvements; buildings and structures; port facilities; and feasibility studies. The CERB financing must be necessary to either bring a new business into a community or expand or retain an existing business that is already located in the community.

The board membership consists of the chair and one minority member of each of the economic development committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Governor also appoints 11 additional board members and four ex-officio members. A legislative member may designate another member from his or her economic development committee to attend the board meetings in his or her place.

Summary of Bill:

The legislative members of the Board must be one member from each of the major caucuses of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The committee members must be from the committees that work on economic development issues. A legislative member may designate another member from his or her economic development committee to attend the board meetings in his or her place so long as the designated member belongs to the same caucus.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.