BILL REQ. #:  H-4483.1 

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

     AN ACT Relating to community preservation; and adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) Public facilities, public works, and capital projects with significant public participation generally aim to accrue broad benefits to the people of Washington. However, frequently overlooked or inadequately addressed is the interest of the stakeholder community that bears the disproportionate cost of the broad public benefit by absorbing a deleterious impact upon itself. These impacts may include dislocation, displacement, and the overall disintegration of an identifiable existing community and its historical and cultural character. The legislature finds that the preservation and restoration of the character of such a community, and the community's historical and cultural character, are important public policy goals.
     (2) For the purposes of this chapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, "community" means a group of people that has a distinct cultural identity located in a geographic area or well-defined neighborhood that currently contains, or historically contained, a high percentage of minority or low-income individuals.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The community preservation authority program is created. A community may form one community preservation authority. A community preservation authority must: (a) Develop a capital projects plan to restore or enhance the health, safety, and well-being of the impacted community and to preserve its cultural and historical identity. The plan must help mitigate the effects of several significant public facilities projects, public works projects, or a capital project with significant public participation; or a significant public facilities project, public works project, or a capital project with significant public participation and a secure community transition facility as defined in RCW 71.09.020(14); (b) restore a local area's sense of community; (c) reduce the displacement of community members and businesses; (d) enhance public service provisions; or (e) stimulate the community's economic vitality.
     (2) A community preservation authority's membership must include: Each state representative and state senator who represents the legislative district in which the community is located; each county councilmember or commissioner who represents the county precinct or district in which the community is located; and each city councilmember who represents the city precinct or district in which the community is located. Together, these members must select the following: Two members who own or operate businesses within the community; two members who are involved in providing nonprofit community or social services within the community; two members who are involved in the arts and entertainment within the community; and two members with significant knowledge of the community's culture and history.
     (3) Once constituted, the community preservation authority must register with the department of community, trade, and economic development.
     (4) A community preservation authority registered with the department of community, trade, and economic development must be eligible to submit its plan for funding through any local, state, or federal grant or low-interest loan programs designed to help impacted communities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The community preservation authority account is created in the state treasury. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only for projects under this chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.