FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 2170

                         C 369 L 97

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Expediting projects of state‑wide significance.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by  Representatives Pennington, Sheldon and Ogden).

House Committee on Trade & Economic Development

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

Background:  Major industrial investments can have a significant impact on a city=s or a county=s regulatory process and economic well-being.  State recognition of and assistance with major industrial investments or economic development projects can expedite completion of such projects.

Summary:  A process to expedite the development of industrial projects of statewide significance is created.  Cities and counties that have comprehensive plans may, at their option, develop a process to expedite the review, approval, permitting, and completion of projects of statewide significance.

An industrial project of statewide significance is defined as either a border crossing project that involves both private and public investments or a private capital investment in manufacturing or research and development.  The capital investment requirements are based on the size of the county where the project is located.  The capital investment requirements range from $20 million for a project located in a county with a population of 20,000 or less, to $1 billion for a project located in a county with a population greater than one million.  The director of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) may designate a project that does not meet the state requirements as an industrial project of statewide significance if: (1) the project is located in a distressed area and the economic circumstances of the county merit the additional assistance; or (2) the impact on the region, due to project size and complexity, merits such designation.

The DCTED must assign an ombudsman to each project of statewide significance.  The ombudsman assembles a team of state, local government, and private officials to help meet the project=s planning and development needs.  Members of the team include those with responsibility over planning, permitting and licensing, infrastructure development, work force development services, transportation services, and the provision of utilities for the specific project of statewide significance.

The Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board must revise its comprehensive plan for work force training and education to address how the state=s work force development system will meet the employer hiring needs for industrial projects of statewide significance.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board must revise its comprehensive plan for higher education policy to include how the state=s higher education system can meet employer hiring needs for industrial projects of statewide significance.

The Department of Ecology (DOE) must revise its various planning documents to address how the it will expedite the completion of industrial projects of statewide significance.  The DOE and appropriate local government must also include in the master programs, adopted under the Shorelines Management Act an economic development element for the location and design of industrial projects of statewide significance.

As part of its state transportation policy plan, the Department of Transportation must address how the it will meet the transportation needs and expedite the completion of industrial projects of statewide significance.

The State Board of Education may provide additional state assistance to school districts that face a special school housing burden because of the development of industrial projects of statewide significance in their boundaries.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 46 0(Senate amended)

House960(House concurred)

Effective:July 27,  1997