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AN ACT Relating to the Washington rural development council; adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW; and adding new sections to chapter 43.131 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. During the decade of the 1980's and into the early 1990's, much of rural Washington has experienced economic distress and population decline as compared to the rapidly growing Puget Sound region. The reasons for the dramatic disparity between the two regions of the state are complex and varied. However, the challenges facing resource-based industries as compared to the dramatic growth opportunities in aerospace and technology-based products have been one of the major contributors to this phenomenon.

During this period of rural recession, a series of state programs were established and expanded to address the problems facing rural communities with the primary focus being placed on distressed areas. In recent years, concerns have been raised regarding the level of coordination and cooperation between the various programs along with an increasing emphasis on the need to ensure accountability and greater program effectiveness. The legislatively mandated service delivery task force, in its report to the legislature, confirmed the need for policy and programmatic change with particular emphasis on the following areas: Clear articulation of a comprehensive policy direction; renewed emphasis on the specific needs of clients; need for planning and delivery of services at the local level; leveraging of resources through collaboration and building of trust among participants; evaluation of programs; and concrete implementation of the task force plans and recommendations.

The federal government, by presidential initiative, established the rural development council which is comprised of representatives from the federal, state, local, and tribal governments along with private and nonprofit sectors in an effort to promote coordination and cooperation in promoting economic vitality in the rural areas. This initiative provides a unique opportunity for state government to support the work of the council while building on the recommendations of previous legislatures and the findings of the service delivery task force. It is the intent of the legislature to ensure a healthy future for rural communities and their citizens while building a partnership based on trust and mutual benefit between the urban and rural communities of Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The Washington rural development council is established. The council's mission is to coordinate and apply private, local, state, tribal, and federal resources to support the development of viable, self-reliant rural communities according to locally conceived and driven strategies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The Washington rural development council shall be comprised of six executive officers, whose initial appointments may be staggered, appointed by the governor for four-year terms. The council shall elect a chairperson from among its own members who shall serve for a period of one year. The chairmanship of the council shall rotate annually between federal and state representatives. The executive officers shall provide policy direction and administrative oversight to the council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The Washington rural development council's executive committee shall be comprised of thirty members including the six executive officers. The additional twenty-four members shall be appointed by the executive officers. The individuals shall represent the following areas: Federal government, state government, local government, tribal government, and private and nonprofit sectors. The executive committee members shall be appointed for two years and members may be appointed to staggered terms in initial appointments. The executive committee shall provide long-term policy direction and oversight to the council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. General membership in the Washington rural development council is open to all individuals and organizations with an interest in rural economic development and wishing to assist the council in its stated goals and objectives.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The Washington rural development council's executive director shall be appointed by the council's executive officers and serve at their pleasure. The executive director shall provide staff support and assist the council in designing and implementing state goals and strategies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The duties of the council include:

(1) Providing policy analysis on existing and proposed rural development strategies in Washington;

(2) Promoting coordination and cooperation between all levels of government and private, public, and nonprofit groups to promote rural economic vitality;

(3) Facilitating communication between the various sectors of the agricultural community;

(4) Facilitating communication between the rural community and other sectors of the state and nation;

(5) Promoting the establishment of urban-rural linkage partnerships that will be mutually beneficial to both areas in alleviating the distress of rapid economic growth or decline and promoting economic vitality;

(6) Identifying and addressing federal, state, and local administrative barriers that hinder rural economic vitality; and

(7) Promoting the establishment of educational and training opportunities for individuals in rural areas.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Members of the council shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 subject to a legislative appropriation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 43.131 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington rural development council and its powers and duties shall be terminated on June 30, 1996, as provided in section 10 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 43.131 RCW to read as follows:

The following acts, or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed, effective June 30, 1997:

(1) RCW 43.31.--- and 1992 c -- s 1 (section 1 of this act);

(2) RCW 43.31.--- and 1992 c -- s 2 (section 2 of this act);

(3) RCW 43.31.--- and 1992 c -- s 3 (section 3 of this act);

(4) RCW 43.31.--- and 1992 c -- s 4 (section 4 of this act);

(5) RCW 43.31.--- and 1992 c -- s 5 (section 5 of this act);

(6) RCW 43.31.--- and 1992 c -- s 6 (section 6 of this act);

(7) RCW 43.31.--- and 1992 c -- s 7 (section 7 of this act); and

(8) RCW 43.31.--- and 1992 c -- s 8 (section 8 of this act).

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Sections 1 through 8 of this act are each added to chapter 43.31 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. 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.