Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee

HB 1450

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) is a statutorily authorized state board charged with financing publicly-owned economic development infrastructure improvements for the purpose of job creation, job retention, or job expansion. Staffing for the CERB is provided by the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED).

Traditional assistance in the CERB program is primarily targeted to rural communities. Counties, cities, towns, port districts, federally-recognized Indian tribes, special purpose districts, and any other municipal corporations and quasi-municipal corporations providing for public facilities are eligible to apply.

The CERB program provides local governments low-interest loans and, occasionally, grants, to help finance planning, acquisition, construction, repair, reconstruction, replacement, rehabilitation or improvement of public facilities. Eligible public facilities include bridges, roads, domestic and industrial water, earth stabilization, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, railroad, electricity, telecommunications, transportation, natural gas, buildings or structures, and port facilities.

Summary of Bill:

The definition of "public facilities" under the Community Economic Revitalization Board statute is expanded to include capitalized equipment valued over $400,000 that is used for maintenance of maritime transportation facilities.