BILL REQ. #:  H-4526.1 

Read first time 01/25/2006.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to providing assistance for flood damage; amending 2005 c 488 s 324 (uncodified); adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that citizens and businesses are experiencing extensive damage from winter floods. The legislature further finds that federal disaster assistance programs and other forms of disaster relief are not always available to assist those in need. The uncertainty of federal assistance and the part-time nature of the legislature necessitates the immediate creation of a flood damage relief program. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to create a state program for flood damage assistance and relief to help Washington citizens protect their homes, businesses, and communities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:
     The department of community, trade, and economic development shall establish a flood damage relief program to provide financial assistance to individuals, businesses, and local governments that have experienced flood damage. The department shall establish criteria for awarding grants for emergency repair and cleanup activities as a result of flood damage. The criteria includes, but is not limited to:
     (1) The availability of other sources of financial assistance including other state or federal disaster assistance;
     (2) The extent of the damage;
     (3) Matching funds that may be available; and
     (4) The financial need of the applicant.

Sec. 3   2005 c 488 s 324 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:
FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
     State Drought Preparedness (05-4-009)

     The reappropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions and limitations:
     (1) The reappropriation in this section is provided solely for response to the statewide drought that was declared pursuant to chapter 43.83B RCW. The department of ecology may provide funding or compensation for purchase or lease of water rights and to public bodies as defined in RCW 43.83B.050 in connection with projects and measures designed to alleviate drought conditions which may affect: Public health and safety; drinking water supplies; agricultural activities; or fish and wildlife survival.
     (2) Projects or measures for which funding or compensation will be provided must be connected with a water system, water source, or water body which is receiving, or has been projected to receive, less than seventy-five percent of normal water supply, as the result of natural drought conditions. This reduction in water supply must be such that it is causing, or will cause, undue hardship for the entities or fish or wildlife depending on the water supply. General criteria for guidelines to be established by the department of ecology for distribution of funds must include: A balanced and equitable distribution of the funds among the different sectors affected by drought; a funding process that ensures funds are available for drought impacts that arise both early and later during the course of the drought; and preference for projects that leverage other federal and local funds.
     (3) Up to $1,500,000 of the reappropriation in this section is provided to the Roza irrigation district for the purchase or lease of water rights.

Reappropriation:
     State Drought Preparedness Account--State . . . . . . . . . . . . (($8,200,000))
       $7,100,000

     Prior Biennia (Expenditures) . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
     Future Biennia (Projected Costs) . . . . . . . . . . . . $0
          TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . (($8,200,000))
       $7,100,000

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The sum of one million six hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 2007, from the state drought preparedness account to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.