H-1752.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 2204

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Representatives Doumit, Sump, Anderson, McMorris, Hatfield, DeBolt, Conway, Clements, Miloscia, Linville, Morris, Kessler, Mulliken, Santos, Lantz, Veloria, Kenney, Edwards, Schoesler and Haigh

Read first time 02/19/1999.  Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Housing & Trade.

Providing infrastructure financing to distressed counties.

    AN ACT Relating to infrastructure financing in distressed counties; adding a new section to chapter 70.146 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.155 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that there exists in distressed areas of the state of Washington a need for infrastructure to act as a stimulant for economic expansion.  The legislature further finds that existing resources at the local government level are inadequate to finance necessary sewer, water, and storm water treatment systems for future business retention, expansion, or recruitment.

    It is the policy of the state of Washington to assist in the development of infrastructure necessary to support job creation, expansion, retention, or recruitment efforts in distressed areas.  It is also the policy of the state of Washington to allocate, where appropriate, existing resources to assist distressed areas with their infrastructure project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 70.146 RCW to read as follows:

    For the period beginning July 1, 1999, and ending June 30, 2004, the department shall give priority to pollution control facilities projects that are financed in part with funds under RCW 82.14.370 and that are located in a distressed county.  As used in this section, "distressed county" has the same meaning as in RCW 82.14.370.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 43.155 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) For the period beginning July 1, 1999, and ending June 30, 2004, the public works board shall give priority in the awarding of low-interest or interest-free loans for the construction of new or expanded public works facilities that are financed in part with funds under RCW 82.14.370, and that are located in a distressed county.

    (2) The loans may have a deferred payment of up to five years, but shall be repaid within twenty years.  The public works board may require other terms and conditions and may charge such rates of interest on its loans as it deems appropriate to carry out the purposes of this section.  Repayments shall be made to the public works assistance account.

    (3) The public works board may make such loans irrespective of the annual loan cycle and reporting required in RCW 43.155.070.

    (4) As used in this section, "distressed county" has the same meaning as in RCW 82.14.370.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 1999.

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