SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 2595

        AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, FEBRUARY 27, 1992

Brief Description:  Concerning access to public records.

SPONSORS: Representatives Sheldon, Bowman, Rasmussen, Forner, Silver, H. Sommers, Paris, Brough, Hochstatter, Chandler, D. Sommers, Wynne, P. Johnson and Winsley; by request of Dept. of Trade and Economic Developmt

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Matson, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, McCaslin, McDonald, McMullen, and Skratek.

Staff:  Patrick Woods (786‑7430)

Hearing Dates: February 27, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) was established in 1982 to provide loans, or grants in unique circumstances, to political subdivisions (cities, counties, ports and special utility districts) for public facilities which will result in specific private sector investment and permanent job opportunities.  Funds can be used for any public facility including but not limited to sewer, water, access roads, port facilities and improvements to state highways.  Applications must include evidence that private development or expansion is ready to occur and will only occur if CERB funds are provided.  Eligible private development includes:  manufacturing, production, food processing, assembly, warehousing, industrial distribution, recycling or businesses that support the trading of goods and services outside the state's borders.

As a public agency, the Community Economic Revitalization Board's applications are considered public information and as such subject to public disclosure unless specifically exempt from the Public Records Disclosure Act.  The board's applications may contain business plans or financial information from private firms in order to substantiate job and investment projections.

Currently, the development loan fund, the Washington Economic Development Finance Authority and any program contained in the statutes for the Department of Trade and Economic Development or the Department of Community Development are covered by an exemption to the Disclosure Act.

SUMMARY:

The Community Economic Revitalization Board statute is added to the list of those programs currently exempt under the Public Records Disclosure Act and thereby exempt from public inspection and copying. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

Community Economic Revitalization Board Project applicants need assurance that the proprietary information they provide is confidential, and that the credit information CERB uses to make informed decisions will not be available to the applicant's competitors.  These are safeguards already afforded to applicants of other programs.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Tim Sheldon; Donna Batch, Department of Trade and Economic Development