S-0803

AN ACT Relating to local community development; amending RCW 41.06.072; adding new sections to chapter 43.63A RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that nonprofit community-based organizations, that rely on both private and public resources, are invaluable providers of services to our state's communities. State agencies increasingly turn to community-based organizations for the delivery of services to meet social, health, training, and community development needs in our communities. Private support flows to community-based organizations because they are very close to their constituencies and have the capacity to act quickly in response to emergency needs. Many community organizations, however, need technical assistance to expand the vision of their boards, to improve the expertise of their staff, and to widen their resource base. Therefore, it is the purpose of this act to authorize and fund the community partnership program to provide technical assistance and managerial support to community-based organizations in the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. There is established within the department of community development the community partnership program. The program is designed to provide technical assistance and managerial support to community-based organizations in the state. An exempt position under RCW 41.06.072 is hereby created within the department of community development for the managing director of the community partnership program. In carrying out the purposes of this chapter, the managing director shall solicit volunteer assistance; work with other agencies which rely on community-based nonprofits for service delivery; work with private sector organizations interested in working with community-based organizations in the delivery of services; contract with private consultants, with the approval of the director of the department, for such services as the managing director deems advisable; and solicit resources from federal and private sources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The community partnership program shall:

(1) Act as a clearinghouse for community-based organizations, providing information and referral services to these organizations through such methods as a computerized network that allows organizations to access the program's information base.

(2) Provide management training courses designed specifically for nonprofit managers, staff, and boards. These include both individualized training for single nonprofit organizations, and skill-building workshops and seminars on planning, budgeting, marketing, and other topics.

(3) Provide short-term direct assistance customized to meet the management needs of individual organizations.

(4) Assist organizations in soliciting and managing volunteers.

(5) Coordinate activities with the state volunteer center, other state agencies, local service providers, and other volunteer organizations giving similar assistance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The managing director of the program may charge a fee for the services offered by the program. The fees may be based on a sliding scale but in no case shall the fees exceed the actual cost of providing these services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The community partnership program may receive such gifts, grants, and endowments from any source as may be made from time to time for the activities of the program and may expend the same according to the terms of the gifts, grants, or endowments.

(2) An account known as the community partnership program account is created and all gifts, grants, endowments, and fees received for the purposes of the community partnership program shall be deposited into the account. The state treasurer is the custodian of the account. Disbursements from the account shall be on the authorization of the managing director of the program or the director's designee. Moneys from the account shall be used for carrying out the purposes of the community partnership program and all other activities deemed appropriate by the advisory committee. The fund is subject to the allotment procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A community partnership advisory committee is established. The governor shall appoint the committee which shall consist of the following members:

(1) The lieutenant governor who shall be the chair of the committee;

(2) The managing director of the program who shall act as the nonvoting, vice-chair of the committee;

(3) Two representatives from nonprofit organizations;

(4) Two representatives from the private sector; and

(5) Two representatives from local government agencies.

Additional members may be appointed as deemed necessary by the committee.

Members shall serve on the committee for a term of four years, or at the pleasure of the governor.

Sec. 7. RCW 41.06.072 and 1986 c 266 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to the exemptions set forth in this chapter, this chapter shall not apply within the department of community development to the state historic preservation officer ((~~and~~)), up to two professional staff members within the emergency management program, and to the director of the community partnership program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 2 through 6 of this act are each added to chapter 43.63A RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund to the department of community development for the purposes of this act.