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SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1132
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AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
C 501 L 87
State of Washington 50th Legislature 1987 Regular Session
By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Jesernig, Hankins, Brooks, Vekich, Baugher, Todd, Jacobsen, Unsoeld, Cantwell, Sutherland, Grant, Hine, Rasmussen, Holm, Belcher, Wineberry, Hargrove, Beck, Schoon, Braddock, Amondson, McMullen, Moyer, Rayburn, Locke, Dellwo, Ebersole, Grimm, Prince, Miller, Nealey, P. King, Basich, Ferguson and Spanel)
Read first time 3/6/87 and passed to Committee on Rules.
AN ACT Relating to the diversification of the economy of the Tri-Cities; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature recognizes that the economic base of the Tri-Cities is overly dependent upon congressional appropriations to the nuclear activities on the Hanford reservation. Frequent fluctuations in federal appropriations have resulted in a local economy which is unstable and which has limited flexibility to respond to important shifts in federal policy. Additionally, many jobs in the Tri-Cities area may be permanently lost when the Hanford N reactor ceases operations. The legislature finds that it is in the best interests of the state and the Tri-Cities area to develop a more balanced and diversified Tri-Cities economy which is better able to meet the long-term employment needs of local citizens.
(2) The department of trade and economic development shall initiate a study to investigate the state's role in the economic diversification of the Tri-Cities economy. The department is authorized to undertake portions of this study by contracting with private firms or through the development of required feasibility studies. The department shall develop the study in conjunction with the department of community development.
(3) The study shall focus on:
(a) The need for expanded higher education capabilities in the Tri-Cities area;
(b) Methods of utilizing the following economic development assets of the Tri-Cities area to diversify the economy:
(i) The large concentration of scientists and engineers;
(ii) An extensive scientific and technological knowledge base;
(iii) The availability of land and real estate;
(iv) The availability of rail, air, and highway transportation; and
(v) Accessibility to outdoor recreational activities;
(c) Methods of addressing the economic development liabilities of the Tri-Cities area, including isolation from major markets, suppliers, and sources of capital;
(d) Potential markets for the Tri-Cities services and products;
(e) The availability of venture capital and other potential funding sources;
(f) The commercialization of federally-developed technology by assisting and promoting the transfer of technology into commercial applications; and
(g) The development of a plan to diversify the industrial base of the Tri-Cities.
(4) The following entities shall be consulted in conducting the study: The Tri-City industrial development council, the administration and faculty of the Tri-City University Center and the Columbia Basin College, the Tri-City visitor and convention bureau, the area chambers of commerce, the area port districts, the cities of Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, and Benton City, the United States department of energy, Hanford contractors, the economic development board, the small business export finance center, the small business development corporations established under RCW 28B.30.530, the agricultural community and other relevant state agencies.
(5) The department shall submit a final report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature no later than January 1, 1988.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.