SB 5641 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Finds that: The state's current mechanisms for encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship is inadequate; training and technical support for small businesses and entrepreneurial development is fragmented; no comprehensive plan guides the different entities providing services; and there is no single point of leadership and responsibility.

Declares an intention to increase job creation in the state by providing a comprehensive network of technical assistance, training, and support services to entrepreneurs and start-up firms; encouraging self-employment, and coordinating private and public support to entrepreneurs and start-up firms. It is the purpose of this act to create a coordinated, efficient, responsive, and accountable system to support small business and entrepreneurial development.

Creates the Washington entrepreneurial assistance center in the department of community, trade, and economic development.

Finds that the establishment of a self-employment assistance program would assist unemployed individuals and create new businesses and job opportunities in Washington state. The commissioner is directed to inform individuals identified as likely to exhaust regular unemployment benefits of the opportunity to enroll in commissioner-approved self-employment assistance programs.

Provides that the small business development center is hereby abolished and its powers, duties, and functions are hereby transferred to the Washington entrepreneurial assistance center.

Appropriates the sum of nine hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the biennium ending June 30, 2007, to carry out the purposes of this act.

Appropriates the sum of forty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of section 5 of this act.

Repeals RCW 28B.30.530 and 28B.30.533.