SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5915

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Economic Development, March 5, 2003

Title: An act relating to the community economic revitalization board.

Brief Description: Expanding membership on the community economic revitalization board.

Sponsors: Senators T. Sheldon, Swecker, Kline, Fraser, Rasmussen and Shin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Economic Development: 2/26/03, 3/5/03 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5915 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators T. Sheldon, Chair; Zarelli, Vice Chair; Benton, Hale, Kohl-Welles; Rossi, Schmidt, B. Sheldon and Shin.

Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background: The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) was created in 1982 to provide funding for publicly-owned economic development infrastructure. Through CERB, direct loans and grants are available to counties, cities, and special purpose districts for feasibility studies and for public improvements such as the acquisition, construction, or repair of water and sewer systems, bridges, railroad spurs, telecommunication systems, roads, structures, and port facilities. CERB funds are only made available if a specific private development or expansion is ready to occur and will occur only if the public improvements are made.

The board membership is made up of 11 members appointed by the Governor, four nonvoting ex officio members, and the chair and one minority member from each of the economic development committees in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In 2002, the Legislature added federally recognized Indian tribes to the list of eligible recipients of CERB funds.

Summary of Substitute Bill: One representative of a federally recognized Indian tribe is added to the board members appointed by the Governor. References to federally recognized Indian tribes are added in the definition of "public facilities" and the section of the CERB statute relating to application for CERB funds.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: References to federally recognized Indian tribes are added in both the definitions section of the CERB statute and in the application process section.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Testimony For: Last year we added tribes to those eligible for CERB funds. It is appropriate to add a tribal representative to the board.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Senator Tim Sheldon, prime sponsor.