FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1818

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                         C 421 L 93

Brief Description:  Providing for military dependent communities.

By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Karahalios, Sehlin, R. Meyers, Schmidt, Peery, Wood, Zellinsky, Edmondson, Stevens, Schoesler, Flemming, Mielke, Thomas, Foreman, Eide, Campbell, Pruitt, Holm and Talcott).

House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development

Background:  According to the state diversification plan done by the Community Diversification Program in the Department of Community Development, Washington ranks as the second most defense-dependent state in the nation.  Washington has a complex defense infrastructure, primarily comprised of military installations, an aerospace industry with a significant defense component, and a large network of procurement contractors.  Approximately 150,000 direct jobs are attributed to defense spending.

The state diversification plan concludes that projected base closures and procurement contract cancellations or reductions may have extreme economic impacts on communities, businesses, and workers.

Summary:  The governor, by executive order after consultation with or notification of the Executive-Legislative Committee on Economic Development, may declare a community to be a "military impacted area."  These are communities that the governor finds experience serious social and economic hardships because of a significant reduction in defense spending by the federal government. 

If the governor declares a community or communities to be a military impacted area, the governor establishes a response team to coordinate state agencies' assistance to the community or communities.  Local communities must actively participate in the response to the crisis.  The response team may include representatives of the following agencies:  (1) the Department of Community Development; (2) the Department of Trade and Economic Development; (3) the Department of Social and Health Services; (4) the Employment Security Department; (5) the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; (6) the Higher Education Coordinating Board; (7) the Department of Transportation; and (8) the Washington Energy Office.  The governor may establish local task forces to assist in the recovery process and delivery of state services.

The governor must report to the next session of the Legislature and the Executive-Legislative Committee on Economic Development after designating a military impact area.  The report should include recommendations on whether the military impacted area should become eligible for infrastructure financing programs, training programs, or other services.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 46 0 (Senate amended)

House            (House refused to concur)

Senate 48 0 (Senate amended)

House  97 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1993