S-0784

AN ACT Relating to water resource funding; adding a new section to chapter 43.33 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.27A RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) The provision of safe drinking water to the citizens of this state is of the highest priority in maintaining the quality of life in this state;

(b) Protecting and preserving the quality of the state's surface and ground waters is essential to the health of its citizens and the maintenance of the state's environment and natural resources;

(c) State and local governments, as well as other affected groups of citizens, have identified a need for capital expenditures to provide and preserve safe and high quality water in this state that far exceeds the current ability of state and local governments to meet;

(d) Existing funding sources from state agencies for water resource related projects and activities, and particularly those for water quality and drinking water supply, have not been developed in a comprehensive and integrated fashion that properly reflects current water resource planning processes and capital needs in this state;

(e) Existing funding sources and programs administered by state agencies for water resource related projects have a wide variety of funding cycles, grant and loan criteria, project priorities, and other elements in their application and funding processes that may create unnecessary confusion, duplication, and inefficiencies in the allocation of such limited resources by the agencies involved; and

(f) Current and future regional water resource planning efforts will require a comprehensive and coordinated plan for providing funding for identified needs.

(2) The legislature intends that:

(a) A comprehensive approach to water resource related funding be undertaken by all agencies and programs that provide such funding, in order that the available money be utilized in the most efficient fashion;

(b) Agency priorities with regard to the use of such funds be developed within the limits of statutory authorization so that they are used in a flexible fashion that meets current needs;

(d) Additional funding be provided to address the most urgent current needs, including those projects and activities that are identified as part of regional water resource plans.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.33 RCW to read as follows:

The state finance committee shall prepare and submit to the appropriate legislative committees a written report no later than December 1, 1991, addressing the capital needs of water resource related projects for the state, the ability of state and local governments to meet those needs, and alternative methods of providing new capital funding for such needs. The alternative methods shall include local government bonding pools, utilization of existing funding sources as revolving loan funds, private partnerships, and any other methods that may be feasible. The office of financial management shall provide information and assistance as needed by the state finance committee, and shall utilize the data and recommendations developed in any recently completed studies or reviews of capital needs and available financial resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.27A RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is created the interagency committee for water resource funding, consisting of the directors of the departments of community development, ecology, fisheries, wildlife, and agriculture, and the secretary of the department of health, or their designees; the chairperson of the utilities and transportation commission, or designee; and, by appointment of the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, five members from the public at large who have a demonstrated interest in, and commitment to, the issues of water resources, public water supply, or public financing. The terms of the members appointed from the public at large shall commence on January 1st of the year of appointment and shall be for three years or until a successor is appointed, except in the case of appointments to fill vacancies, which shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. The initial members at large shall be appointed as follows: One member for one year, two members for two years, and two members for three years. The governor shall designate one of the members at large as the chairperson of the committee for the duration of the member's term.

(2) The committee shall:

(a) Have the authority to hire a director to provide management and assistance for the operations of the committee;

(b) Have the authority to apply to any appropriate agency or officer of the United States for participation in or receipt of any funding from any program regarding water resources or public water supply not specifically designated for any other fund or agency, and to enter into any contracts or agreements and otherwise maintain such records and information as may be necessary to receive such funding;

(d) On an annual basis, prepare and submit to the appropriations and revenue committees of both houses of the legislature by December 1st the state's proposed plan for distribution of water resource related state funding during the fiscal year beginning on the following July 1st, and the priorities underlying such proposed distribution; the plan shall also include recommendations to the legislature for any changes in state law as to priorities, eligibility, and distribution;

(e) Request, as needed, assistance from the departments of the member state agency for the analysis and review of any proposed plans and projects; and

(f) Expend such funds for water resource related programs as it is authorized to by the legislature.

(3) Any public body or any agency of state government authorized to expend, or desiring to expend, state funds for water resource related funding shall first submit such a request or proposed expenditure to the committee for review and approval, and shall not expend such funds, except in emergencies, until the committee has reviewed and approved the expenditures. Such requests shall demonstrate that they are part of a long-term capital program, are consistent with other comprehensive planning processes of the state, and are in compliance with the priorities for such funding.

(4) The director shall have the power to:

(a) Obtain and supervise the administrative operations of the committee and staff;

(b) Administer any funding programs directly operated by the committee, and provide technical assistance to state and local agencies;

(c) Prepare and update a strategic capital plan for the management, maintenance, and enhancement of the water resources of this state, and for the protection of the quality of the state's waters and of its drinking water supply, which shall be prepared in coordination with the office of financial management, relevant federal, state, and local agencies, Indian tribes, private sector interests, and the general public;

(d) Represent the interests of the state and the committee on water resources funding issues;

(e) Enter into such agreements as are authorized by the committee; and

(f) Encourage and provide opportunities for interagency and regional coordination and cooperative efforts in the funding of water resource projects and activities.