2526-S.E AMS CL S4252.1
ESHB 2526 - S COMM AMD
By Committee on Commerce & Labor
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Given the rapid change in both the structure of the state and world economy, it is recognized that experiments in identifying, communicating, and acting upon new means of protecting and enhancing the viability and self reliance of rural Washington communities are needed. Voluntary and meaningful communication between all levels of government, including tribal governments, and the nonprofit and private sectors is critical for the representation of the needs and interests of rural residents. It is also of critical importance to the integrity of the entire state to identify ways that urban and rural economies of Washington can function to complement each other and reinforce the quality of life available to residents."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. There is established formal recognition of the efforts of the Washington state rural development council, in operation since February of 1991, through the voluntary support of state, federal, and local government and private businesses and citizens. In acknowledgment and recognition of these efforts all agencies and branches of state government that operate programs in rural areas of the state are encouraged to actively participate in the activities of the council."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The Washington state rural development council is a partnership among state, federal, and local governments, tribal governments, and the public and private sectors, and is organized to meet the needs of all members of the partnership. The council is organized as a mutual effort to mitigate negative impacts upon rural communities, enhance their viability and self reliance, and look for ways to coordinate, synchronize, or consolidate the efforts of all who serve rural communities and citizens."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The Washington state rural development council's mission has been determined by public forum to be: According to locally conceived and driven strategies, to coordinate and apply private, local, state, tribal, and federal resources to support the development of viable, self-reliant rural communities. A primary function of the council is that of facilitator, serving as a forum for communication between the council's constituencies and stakeholders; change agent, acting as both a sounding board for emerging issues and an advocate for change in policies and rules that inhibit the viability of rural communities; and resource developer, serving to maximize knowledge of discretionary resources throughout rural areas of the state."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The state's share of the costs incurred by the Washington state rural development council shall be limited to amounts appropriated by the state for its use or amounts allocated by state departments for support of the council."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The objectives of the Washington state rural development council should be consistent with the council's mission and honor the perspectives of the partnership in its undertaking of the following:
(1) Providing a forum for policy analysis concerning existing and proposed rural development strategies in Washington;
(2) Promoting coordination and cooperation between all levels of government, and private, public, and nonprofit groups in order to promote rural economic vitality;
(3) Facilitating communication between rural communities and organizations and other sectors of the state and nation;
(4) Promoting the establishment of rural-urban linkage partnerships that will be mutually beneficial to both areas in alleviating the distress of rapid economic growth or decline and promoting economic vitality;
(5) Identifying and addressing federal, state, and local administrative barriers that hinder economic vitality;
(6) Identifying and providing opportunities to educate and inform state, federal, and local policy and program staff as to the needs and special development context of rural Washington; and
(7) Promoting the establishment of educational and training opportunities for individuals in rural areas."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The Washington state rural development council shall be located in a branch or agency of either the federal or state government according to a memorandum of understanding between the host agency and the partners represented on the council."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Economic vitality is an integral component of each community in the state of Washington and is necessary to ensure a high standard of living and job opportunities for each citizen of the state. During the 1980's, the Puget Sound region has experienced dramatic growth as compared to a moderate increase or even economic decline in rural parts of the state. This economic disparity has provided a unique opportunity for a meaningful economic partnership between both areas of Washington that will assist in transferring excessive business growth in the Puget Sound to rural areas that are in need of increased business activity. The intent of this act in establishing this partnership is to improve the quality of life across Washington and provide quality job opportunities for each citizen of the state."
"Sec. 9. RCW 43.63A.560 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 67 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The department shall administer a grant program which makes grants to ((local)) nonprofit organizations for rural economic development or for sharing economic growth outside the Puget Sound region. The grants shall be used to: (a) Develop urban-rural links; (b) build local capacity for economic growth; ((or)) (c) improve the export of products or services from rural areas to locations outside the United States; or (d) assist business in high-growth urban areas to locate new or expanded business operations in rural communities throughout the state.
(2) The department shall consult with, and if necessary form an advisory committee including, a diverse group of private sector representatives including, but not limited to, major corporations, commercial financial institutions, venture capitalists, small businesses, natural resource businesses, and developers to determine what opportunities for new investment and business growth might be available for areas outside high-growth counties. The department shall also consult with the department of trade and economic development. The department shall seek to maximize and link new investment opportunities to grant projects under this section.
(3) The department shall establish a project within the grant program to assist businesses in high-growth urban areas in the Puget Sound region to locate new or expanded business operations in rural communities throughout the state. The department shall endeavor to establish contracts with local governments, including local planning departments, nonprofit agencies, or for-profit corporations that wish to provide businesses in their high growth urban areas alternative locations. The department may also establish contracts with local governments including planning departments, nonprofit agencies, or for-profit corporations that wish to assist businesses in locating in their rural communities.
(4) The department may enact rules to carry out this section."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
The department shall develop contract provisions in consultation with local governments, nonprofit agencies, or for-profit corporations that outline the following: The scope and degree of services provided to new or expanding businesses; the time frame in which services are provided to businesses; the responsibility of urban and rural contractors to ensure complementary, nonduplicative services; and guidelines for evaluating effectiveness of the program."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 43.63A RCW to read as follows:
The department, in consultation and advice of the departments of trade and economic development, employment security, and revenue, shall provide the contract parties with general information on possible rural industrial sites, local labor market information, and local economic conditions."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. The department shall report to the legislature by January 1, 1993, on the effectiveness of the project under RCW 43.63A.560(3) and make recommendations on whether the project should be continued, maintained, or expanded."
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. Sections 2 through 7 of this act are each added to chapter 43.63A RCW."
ESHB 2526 - S COMM AMD
By Committee on Commerce & Labor
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "Relating to" strike the remainder of the title and insert "rural development; amending RCW 43.63A.560; adding new sections to chapter 43.63A RCW; and creating new sections."