HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1510

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.

As Reported by House Committee On:

Technology & Economic Development

Title: An act relating to port district worker development and occupational training programs.

Brief Description: Concerning port district worker development and occupational training programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Tarleton, McDonald, Ryu, Fitzgibbon, Tharinger, Clibborn, Santos and Fey.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Technology & Economic Development: 2/1/17, 1/17/18 [DPS].

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Allows port economic development programs to be operated by certain private and public entities.
Makes changes to eligibility provisions for port economic development programs and reporting requirements for entities operating the programs.
Requires a port seeking to engage in economic development programs to declare by resolution that its goals are consistent with the port commission's economic development goals and ongoing worker training initiatives in the port district.
Removes the requirement that a port district's economic development programs be in existence on June 10, 2010.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 14 members: Representatives Morris, Chair; Kloba, Vice Chair; Tarleton, Vice Chair; Smith, Ranking Minority Member; DeBolt, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Doglio, Harmsworth, Hudgins, Manweller, Santos, Slatter, Steele, Wylie and Young.

Staff: Kirsten Lee (786-7133).

Background:

Port Districts.

Port districts may acquire, construct, maintain, operate, develop, and regulate the following: harbor improvements; rail, motor vehicle, water, or air transfer and terminal facilities, or any combination of these facilities; other commercial transportation, transfer, handling, storage, and terminal facilities; and industrial improvements. Ports may also expend moneys and promote resources and facilities in the district or general area by advertising, publicizing, or otherwise distributing information to attract visitors and encourage tourist expansion.

Among the general powers granted to ports are the following:

to acquire land, property, leases, and easements;
to condemn property and exercise the power of eminent domain;
to develop lands for industrial and commercial purposes;
to impose taxes, rates, and charges;
to sell or otherwise convey rights to property; and
to construct and maintain specified types of park and recreation facilities.

Port District Economic Development Programs.

Port districts' economic development programs include job training and placement, pre-apprenticeship training, or educational programs that are associated with port tenants, customers, and local economic development related to port activities. The programs must be sponsored by a port, be operated by a nonprofit entity, and have been in existence on June 10, 2010.

A sponsoring port must require a nonprofit entity that operates port districts' economic development programs to annually submit information including:

the number of workers trained, recruited, and placed in jobs;
the types of jobs and range of compensation;
the number and types of businesses that are served; and
any other tangible benefits realized by the port, the workers, businesses, and the public.

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Summary of Substitute Bill:

In addition to nonprofit corporations, ports districts may contract with private and public entities to further their economic development programs and goals. The type of job training and placement and educational programs that are considered economic development programs are changed to occupational job training and placement and occupational education programs. Job advancement and job retention may also qualify as an economic development program. Economic development programs must be associated with local economic development related to port tenants or port-related economic activities that are sponsored by the port and operated by a nonprofit, private, or public entity. In addition to other required reporting information, these entities must report on the number of workers retained as a result of the economic development program. Ports seeking to engage in economic development programs must declare by resolution that port-related workforce development provides a substantial public benefit consistent with the port commission's economic development goals and is consistent with ongoing worker training initiatives in place in the port district.

The requirement that a port district's economic development programs be in existence on June 10, 2010, is removed.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill: (1) allows port districts to contract with private and public entities that provide certain training systems and promote workforce diversity in furtherance of economic development; (2) allows for port-sponsored economic development programs to be operated by private or public entities; (3) requires authorized entities operating port economic development programs to report on the number of workers retained because of the program; (4) requires a port seeking to engage in economic development programs to declare by resolution that its goals are consistent with ongoing worker training initiatives in place in the port district, in addition to the port commission's economic development goals; and (5) provides that a port economic development program may include job advancement and job retention.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

See Committee Records from 2017 Legislative Session.

Persons Testifying:

See Committee Records from 2017 Legislative Session.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

See Committee Records from 2017 Legislative Session.