Title: An act relating to clarifying the authority of the community economic revitalization board to make loans and grants to eligible federally recognized Indian tribes in rural counties and rural natural resources impact areas eligible for assistance under the rural program.

Brief Description: Allowing federally recognized Indian tribes in rural counties and rural natural resources impact areas to be eligible for assistance under the community economic revitalization board's rural program.

Sponsors: Representatives Ormsby, Skinner, Veloria, Moeller, Conway and Kenney; by request of Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Clarifies that the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) program can make loans and grants to eligible federally recognized Indian Tribes, including those federally recognized Indian Tribes in rural counties and rural natural resource impact areas eligible for the CERB's rural program.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Veloria, Chair; Skinner, Ranking Minority Member; McDonald, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Chase, Condotta, Kristiansen, McCoy, Ormsby, Pettigrew, Priest and Rodne.

The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) program was created in 1982 to provide direct loans and grants to counties, cities, and special purpose districts for economic development-related infrastructure improvements. The CERB financing is available for public improvements that include the acquisition, construction, or repair of domestic and industrial water, sewer and storm water infrastructure; bridge, railroad, electricity, telecommunication, and road improvements; buildings and structures; port facilities; and feasibility studies. The CERB financing must be necessary to either bring a new business into a community or expand or retain an existing business that is already located in the community.

In 2002, the Legislature expanded the CERB program eligibility to include federally recognized Indian Tribes.

The eligibility of the federally recognized Indian Tribes is clarified to include all projects, including loans and grants to federally recognized Indian Tribes in rural counties and in rural natural resource impact areas eligible for assistance under the CERB's rural program.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The CERB is one of the most successful economic development tools in rural areas. The federally recognized Indian Tribes in Washington are strong economic development partners. This bill is purely a housekeeping measure, clarifying the Legislature's earlier intent to include federally recognized tribes in the CERB program by making the language consistent throughout the statutes and eliminating any ambiguities.

Persons Testifying: Representative Ormsby, prime sponsor; Tom McBride, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; Ron Newbry, Washington Economic Development Association; and Kyle Taylor Lucas, Governor's Office of Indian Affairs.