SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SCR 8427

                    As of February 18, 1998

Brief Description:  Appointing a joint select committee on rural land use and economic development.

Sponsors:  Senators Anderson, T. Sheldon, Swecker, Rasmussen, Hochstatter and Morton.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Government Operations:  2/23/98.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Staff:  Eugene Green (786-7405)

Background:  The Growth Management Act states that A... it is in the public interest that economic development programs be shared with communities experiencing insufficient economic growth.@  Under the act, rural areas have the opportunity to control the economic development of their lands.  The Legislature should continue working with the rural areas to develop land use laws that contribute to the economic development of rural areas without compromising the unique features of these areas.

Summary of Bill:  A Joint Select Committee on Rural Land Use and Economic Development is established to develop recommendations to the Legislature for laws governing economic development in rural areas consistent with the Growth Management Act.

The committee consists of ten members from rural districts, three from the majority caucus and two from the minority caucus of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The committee must operate by majority vote and use facilities and staff of Senate Committee Services and Office of Program Research, but may call upon the expertise of other individuals.

The committee must report its interim findings and recommendations by December 31, 1998, and its final report by December 31, 1999.  The committee expires on January 1, 2000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 20, 1997.