BILL REQ. #:  S-0751.1 

Read first time 02/06/2003.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to economic development powers of cities, towns, and counties; amending RCW 35.21.703, 35.21.680, 36.01.085, and 36.32.410; and creating a new section.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 35.21.703 and 1985 c 92 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((It shall be in the public purpose for)) All cities ((to)) and towns may engage in economic development activities or programs. In ((addition, cities may)) order to meet its economic development goals and objectives, any city or town or instrumentality thereof is authorized, within its governmental or proprietary capacity as determined by the legislative authority, to:
     (1) Own and operate industrial and commercial parks, and developments, and mixed use developments containing industrial and commercial facilities, and in the exercise of such power shall have the right to sell, lend, transfer, exchange, lease, or otherwise dispose of related lands, buildings, and facilities to any state, province, or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, or the federal government or any Indian tribe, or to any other public or private person or entity;
     (2) Engage in programs to attract and retain businesses and commercial enterprises, and develop and fund programs for job training, retraining, and retention;
     (3) Form nonprofit corporations and participate in the formation or be members of joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies, and all other forms of business enterprises consistent with the provisions of Article VIII, section 7 of the Washington state Constitution;
     (4) Develop, construct, and operate infrastructure and public facilities;
     (5) Transfer or loan to the state, any city, county, special purpose district, public development authority, or other political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, or the federal government or any Indian tribe, with or without consideration, any funds, real or personal property, property interests, or services;
     (6) Contract with for-profit and nonprofit corporations or other entities in furtherance of this and other acts relating to economic development; and
     (7) Take such actions and engage in such activities as may be otherwise permitted by law.

Sec. 2   RCW 35.21.680 and 1971 ex.s. c 177 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislative body of any city or town, is hereby authorized and empowered in its discretion by resolution or ordinance passed by a majority of the legislative body, to take whatever action it deems necessary to enable the city or town to participate in the programs set forth in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-452; 78 Stat. 508), as amended. Such participation may be engaged in as a sole city or town operation or in conjunction or cooperation with the state, any other city or town, county, or municipal corporation, or any private corporation qualified under said Economic Opportunity Act. In addition, any city or town may participate in any state or federal activity or program for economic development, job creation, and community development.

Sec. 3   RCW 36.01.085 and 1985 c 92 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     ((It shall be in the public purpose for)) All counties ((to)) may engage in economic development activities or programs. In ((addition, counties may)) order to meet its economic goals and objectives, any county or instrumentality thereof is authorized, within its governmental or proprietary capacity as determined by legislative authority, to:
     (1) Own and operate industrial and commercial parks and developments, and mixed use developments containing industrial and commercial facilities, and in the exercise of such powers shall have the right to sell, lend, transfer, exchange, lease, or otherwise dispose of related lands, buildings, and facilities to any state, province, or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, or the federal government or any Indian tribe, or any other public or private person or entity;
     (2) Engage in programs to attract and retain businesses and commercial enterprises, and develop and fund programs for job training, retraining, and retention;
     (3) Form nonprofit corporations and participate in the formation or be members of joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies, and all other forms of business enterprises consistent with the provisions of Article VIII, section 7 of the Washington state Constitution;
     (4) Develop, construct, and operate infrastructure and public facilities;
     (5) Transfer or loan to the state, any city, county, special purpose district, public development authority, or other political subdivision or instrumentality thereof, or the federal government or any Indian tribe, with or without consideration, any funds, real or personal property, property interests, or services;
     (6) Contract with for-profit and nonprofit corporations or other entities in furtherance of this and other acts relating to economic development; and
     (7) Take such actions and engage in such activities as may be otherwise permitted by law.

Sec. 4   RCW 36.32.410 and 1971 ex.s. c 177 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The board of county commissioners of any county is hereby authorized and empowered in its discretion by resolution or ordinance passed by a majority of the board, to take whatever action it deems necessary to enable the county to participate in the programs set forth in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-452; 78 Stat. 508), as amended. Such participation may be engaged in as a sole county operation or in conjunction or cooperation with the state, any other county, city, or municipal corporation, or any private corporation qualified under said Economic Opportunity Act. In addition, any county may participate in any state or federal activity or program for economic development, job creation, and community development.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The powers granted by this act are supplemental to those previously authorized by law, and nothing in this act shall be deemed to limit any other authority of cities, towns, and counties. All prior actions consistent with the provisions of this act are ratified, confirmed, and validated.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.