H-2386              _______________________________________________

                                           SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 885

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Brooks, D. Sommers and Silver)

Read first time 3/6/87 and passed to Committee on Rules.

AN ACT Relating to community economic development; and adding new sections to chapter 43.82 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that changes in the structure of the state's economy have created long-term economic distress for many areas of the state.  The location of new state facilities in economically distressed areas of the state can serve to impact the economic well-being of those areas.  Within the boundaries of economically distressed counties, the location of new state facilities within economically distressed cities and towns can serve to assist in the economic revitalization of those areas.  Within the boundaries of counties which are not economically distressed but which contain economically distressed areas, the location of new state facilities within economically distressed areas can serve to assist in the economic revitalization of those areas.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     When constructing a new facility or building in a county which is an economically distressed area as defined in RCW 43.165.010(3)(a), the director shall explore the feasibility of locating the facility or building within the boundaries of an economically distressed city or town in the economically distressed county.  The director shall determine feasibility of sites by considering the costs of construction and the relevant needs of the public being  served by the facility or building, such as accessibility to public transportation.  The director shall locate the facility or building within a distressed city or town if any site in the distressed city or town is feasible.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     When constructing a new facility or building in a county which is not an economically distressed area as defined in RCW 43.165.010(3)(a), but which does include within its boundaries an economically distressed area or areas as defined in RCW 43.165.010(3) (b) or (c), the director shall explore the feasibility of locating the facility or building within the boundaries of the economically distressed area or areas.  The director shall determine feasibility of sites by considering the costs of construction and the relevant needs of the public being served by the facility or building, such as accessibility to public transportation.  The director shall locate the facility or building within a distressed area of the nondistressed county if any site in the distressed area is feasible.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 2 and 3 of this act shall not apply to the location of facilities or buildings in Thurston county, nor to the location of facilities or buildings by state institutions of higher education.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     Sections 1 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 43.82 RCW.