BILL REQ. #:  S-0518.2 

Read first time 01/13/2005.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to providing matching funds for local economic development strategic planning for agriculture; adding a new section to chapter 15.04 RCW; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that economic conditions in the agricultural industry located predominantly in rural areas of the state have dramatically changed due to a multitude of factors including international market forces, changes in consumer preferences, available land for agricultural use, and relative competitiveness of the region's agricultural economy. Further, in order to proactively adjust to changing conditions, counties are increasingly engaging in strategic planning processes to identify the trends and develop strategies that will better allow their local agricultural communities to identify and capitalize on new and changing opportunities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 15.04 RCW to read as follows:
     A matching fund program for strategic economic development plans for agriculture is established, to be administered by the department. The state matching funds shall not exceed fifty percent of the cost of the planning process. The state portion for each county shall not exceed forty thousand dollars per county.
     The legislative authority of a county that wishes to engage in a strategic economic development planning process for agriculture may file an application with the department. Applications must be submitted by September 15th of each year and awarded by October 15th of each year.
     The department and the involved county may contract with Washington State University cooperative extension or the University of Washington to facilitate discussions with an advisory committee appointed by the county in the development of a strategic economic development plan for agriculture for the involved county.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2005, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void.