SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5167

                    As of February 3, 1999

Title:  An act relating to rural development.

Brief Description:  Revising rural development law.

Sponsors:  Senators T. Sheldon, Morton, Sellar, Snyder, Hargrove, Jacobsen, Swecker, Oke, Zarelli, McCaslin and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Rural Economic Development:  2/8/99.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Staff:  David Schumacher (786-7474)

Background:  The Local Development Assistance Service Area of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) is comprised of four major units:  the Business Assistance Center, the Community Assistance Center, the Community Investments Unit, and the Washington Rural Development Council.

The Washington Rural Development Council was established in 1990 to foster partnerships and collaboration among federal, state and local governments, and the private sector to improve the quality of life in Washington's rural areas.

Summary of Bill:  The council executive committee is authorized to establish a successor organization to the council.

The successor organization must be a private nonprofit corporation qualified as tax exempt under section 501 (C) of the federal Internal Revenue Code.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 15, 1999.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.