Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee
HB 1767
Brief Description: Concerning the role of the department of commerce in monitoring and providing technical assistance related to federal funding opportunities.
Sponsors: Representatives Barnard, Stearns, Chapman and Volz.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the Department of Commerce (Commerce) to include in its annual federal economic development funding report to the Legislature a description of efforts made to obtain federal economic development dollars to support clean energy, clean transportation, clean buildings, and broadband.
Hearing Date: 2/8/23
Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).
Background:

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is responsible for promoting community and economic development within the state by assisting the state's communities to increase the quality of life of their citizens and their economic vitality, and by assisting the state's businesses to maintain and increase their economic competitiveness, while maintaining a healthy environment.  Commerce's community and economic development responsibilities include:

  • providing advisory assistance to the Governor, other state agencies, and the Legislature on community and economic development matters;
  • assisting the Governor in coordinating the activities of state agencies that have an impact on local government and communities;
  • cooperating with the Legislature and the Governor in the development and implementation of strategic plans for the state's community and economic development efforts;
  • soliciting private and federal grants for economic and community development programs and administering such programs;
  • cooperating with and providing technical and financial assistance to local governments, businesses, and community-based organizations for the purpose of aiding and encouraging orderly, productive, and coordinated development of the state; and
  • conducting research and analysis in furtherance of the state's economic and community development efforts, including maintaining current information on market, demographic, and economic trends as they affect different industrial sectors, geographic regions, and communities with special economic and social problems in the state.


Commerce must track the amount of federal economic development funding received and disbursed along with any required state, local, or other matching requirements and annually provide the information to the economic development committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Summary of Bill:

Commerce's federal economic development funding reports to the Legislature must include a description of efforts made to obtain for Washington federal economic development dollars to support clean energy, clean transportation, clean buildings, and broadband.  The reports should also advise the Legislature on the scope of need for technical assistance capacity in Commerce to serve local governments, tribes, and small businesses in applying for federal grants and loans.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 3, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.