S-0179.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5555

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Senators Hale and Patterson

Read first time 01/26/2001.  Referred to Committee on Economic Development & Telecommunications.

Establishing a branch office of the department of community, trade, and economic development in eastern Washington.

    AN ACT Relating to establishing a branch office of the department of community, trade, and economic development in eastern Washington; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that economic development, work force training, international trade, tourism development, housing assistance, assistance to local governments, and other programs and services provided by the department of community, trade, and economic development are vital to all regions of the state.  The legislature further finds that program development and service delivery to the eastern region of the state could be significantly enhanced by a continuous, full-time physical staff presence in that region.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  For the purposes of this act:

    (1) "Department" means the department of community, trade, and economic development, or its successor agency or agencies.

    (2) "Director" means the director of the department.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  In order to more effectively respond to the needs of eastern Washington communities, the department shall, as soon as practicable, establish a field office and a full-time staff presence in eastern Washington.  If practicable, the office shall be colocated with one or more existing state agencies in the Tri-Cities area to facilitate the urgent economic development needs of southeastern Washington.  This office shall be staffed by the director  in the most efficient manner that is likely to provide improved service to eastern Washington communities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  Program activities and priorities for this office serving eastern Washington shall be determined by the director, in consultation with local government officials, business, labor, and educational advisors from the region.

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