SENATE BILL REPORT
ESB 5330
As Passed Senate, February 11, 2006
Title: An act relating to economic development grants.
Brief Description: Creating the economic development grants program.
Sponsors: Senators Shin, Rasmussen, Berkey, McAuliffe and Kohl-Welles.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: International Trade & Economic Development: 1/27/05, 2/8/05[DP-WM].
Ways & Means: 2/23/05, 3/2/05 [DP].
Passed Senate: 3/14/05, 43-0; 2/11/06, 37-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Shin, Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Doumit, Eide and Zarelli.
Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Hewitt, Kohl-Welles, Parlette, Pflug, Pridemore, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Thibaudeau.
Staff: Kirstan Arestad (786-7708)
Background: There are numerous federal and private economic development assistance programs for which state agencies and local governments and organizations are eligible to apply. There are also numerous opportunities to attract major regional, national, and international business, tourism, and sporting events to the state. Some local and state agencies have had success in garnering non-state support for attracting major events and for economic development projects, but there is no systematic effort to maximize federal and private funds for such events and projects.
Summary of Bill: The Economic Development Grants Program is created in the Department of
Community, Trade and Economic Development. The program is to be staffed by at least one
grant writer. Program staff is to stay abreast of grant opportunities from federal and private
sources, write grant requests, assist local entities in attracting regional, national, and international
business, tourism, and sporting events, and assist state agencies and local consortiums in their
grant-seeking efforts.
The department is required to submit to the Legislature an annual list of grant applications
submitted, grant awards received, and the total amount of grant funds received during the year.
This list is due by December 1 each year.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For (International Trade & Economic Development): This would allow CTED to be systematic about expanding support for economic development beyond state funds.
Testimony Against (International Trade & Economic Development): None.
Who Testified: (International Trade & Economic Development) PRO: Marie Sullivan, CTED.
Testimony For (Ways & Means): None.
Testimony Against (Ways & Means): None.
Who Testified (Ways & Means): No one.
House Amendment(s): The House amendments removed the Economic Development Grants Program and requires the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic development to create, within existing resources, an inventory of grant opportunities for state agencies, local governments, and other community organizations engaged in economic development activities.