SENATE BILL REPORT

                           2SSB 5514

        AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY &

            ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, FEBRUARY 3, 1994

Brief Description:  Creating the economic development grants program.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Sheldon, Bluechel, Williams, Erwin, Skratek, M. Rasmussen, Deccio and Snyder)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: That Third Substitute Senate Bill No. 5514 be substituted therefor, and the third substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Skratek, Chairman; Sheldon, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Cantu, Erwin, M. Rasmussen and Williams.

Staff:  Jeff Baird (786-7444)

Hearing Dates: February 12, 1993; February 18, 1993; January 21, 1994; February 3, 1994

BACKGROUND:

There are numerous federal and private economic development assistance programs for which state agencies and local consortiums are eligible to apply.  Some individuals within state agencies have had success in garnering non-state support for economic development project, but there is no systematic effort to maximize federal and private funds for such projects.

SUMMARY:

The Economic Development Grants Program is created in the Office of Financial Management.  The program will be operated by a managing director and at least one grant writer.  The director is to stay abreast of grant opportunities from federal and private sources, write grant requests, and assist state agencies and local consortiums in their grant seeking efforts.

The Department of Trade and Economic Development is responsible for ensuring that local businesses and groups are aware of the availability of technical assistance for garnering economic development grants.

A null and void clause makes the program contingent upon funding in the 1993-95 biennial budget.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED THIRD SUBSTITUTE:

The program is housed within CTED and taken out of OFM.  References to DCD and DTED are eliminated and replaced by references to CTED.  The null and void clause is stricken.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one