Title: An act relating to providing assistance for flood damage.

Brief Description: Creating a flood damage assistance and relief program.

Sponsors: Representatives Buck, Alexander, Kristiansen and Pearson.

Brief History:

Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade: 1/31/06, 2/1/06 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AGRICULTURE & TRADE

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Linville, Chair; Pettigrew, Vice Chair; Kristiansen, Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Bailey, Blake, Buri, Chase, Clibborn, Dunn, Grant, Haler, Holmquist, Kilmer, Kretz, McCoy, Morrell, Newhouse, Quall, Strow, P. Sullivan and Wallace.

Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).

Background:

The Department of Ecology (Department) has the authority to take emergency actions during drought conditions that are designed to alleviate hardships and reduce burdens on various water users. During the most recent drought conditions, the Department used this authority, together with a legislative appropriation, to fund compensation for public bodies for projects that provided drought relief for public safety, drinking water supplies, agricultural activities, and fish survival.

The State Treasury manages the State Drought Preparedness Account to fund these activities and other activities addressing drought impacts.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (DCTED) is required to establish a flood damage relief program. The program must provide financial assistance to individuals, businesses, and local governments that have experienced flood damage requiring cleanup or emergency repairs.

The DCTED is responsible for establishing criteria for awarding grants under the relief program. The criteria must include financial need, the extent of flood damage sustained, and the availability of other funds.

The relief program will be initially funded through an appropriation of $1.6 million from the State Drought Preparedness Account.

Appropriation: The sum of $1.6 million from the State Drought Preparedness Account.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: The state's drought is over, but the rain has brought new problems. The money left over from drought relief can be used to alleviate flooding impacts. Flooding causes property damage and blocks transportation corridors. When people and freight cannot be moved, there are economic consequences.

Last session the Legislature amended the process for receiving hydraulic permit approvals to make it clear that there are emergency actions available for dealing with floods. People now need financial help to take advantage of those available actions.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Buck, prime sponsor; and Representative Alexander.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.