H-2238              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1189

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Holm, Rayburn, Vekich, Rasmussen, Jacobsen, Moyer, Chandler, Jesernig, C. Smith and Todd

Read first time 3/4/87 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

AN ACT Relating to the economic development and marketing needs of rural businesses; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     (1) The legislature finds that rural businesses have unique economic development and marketing needs. These are caused by their lack of proximity to concentrations of population, by the sudden shifts in economic climate which have occurred in recent years, and by the changes in transportation patterns which have altered long-standing patterns of business. The legislature finds that the information available on such issues is inadequate and that the information that does exist is not widely available. Therefore, a study of the economic development and marketing needs of rural businesses should be undertaken by the state.

          (2) The department of trade and economic development shall study the economic development and marketing needs of rural businesses.  The department is authorized to enter into contracts to carry out the purposes of this section.

          (3) The department shall report its findings to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature no later than January 1, 1988.

          (4) This section shall expire July 1, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The sum of thirty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the department of trade and economic development for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     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.