BILL REQ. #:  S-0923.1 

Read first time 02/07/2005.   Referred to Committee on Government Operations & Elections.

     AN ACT Relating to economic development powers of counties and port districts; amending RCW 36.01.085; and adding a new section to chapter 36.01 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 36.01.085 and 1985 c 92 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     It shall be in the public purpose for all counties to engage in economic development programs. In order to carry out these programs, any county with a population of fewer than thirty thousand persons that borders the Columbia river is authorized to transfer or loan to any port district, with or without consideration, any funds, real or personal property, property interests, or services. In addition, counties may contract with nonprofit corporations in furtherance of this and other acts relating to economic development.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 36.01 RCW to read as follows:
     Any county with fewer than thirty thousand persons that borders the Columbia river may, upon the request of and pursuant to an interlocal agreement with a port district, jointly exercise with that port district any powers of the port district with respect to economic development programs or projects.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.