AN ACT Relating to state-facilitated urban and rural community cooperation in economic development; adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature believes that rural and urban areas each have unique assets which should be drawn upon jointly to further the overall economic goals of the state.

The legislature believes that economic development provides greater benefit to the state when growth is distributed equitably to the state's regions and residents and is accomplished in a manner that preserves and enhances the state's quality of life.

The legislature believes the state has a vested interest in helping Washington businesses satisfy their expansion and relocation needs within the state. The state should take the lead in developing a comprehensive strategy to reduce the pressure of future economic growth on urban areas, direct growth into underutilized regions, and retain jobs within the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. There is established within the department of trade and economic development the expand-with-Washington program. The program's objective will be to facilitate urban and rural cooperation and to assist Washington businesses in meeting their expansion and relocation needs. The program will serve as a clearinghouse for information on Washington communities and will provide information to businesses that will help them locate and decide on an in-state site for expansion or relocation.

Any information possessed by a state agency regarding a community's capacity for economic development including but not limited to infrastructure studies, industry site assessments, building and property inventories, cost-of-living data, labor cost surveys, and market surveys shall be included in the files maintained under the expand with Washington program. These files shall be made accessible to business owners who are seeking to expand or relocate their enterprises.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department of trade and economic development shall employ a marketing agent who is an expert on the locational needs of relocating or expanding businesses. The rural marketing agent shall work closely with the department of community development staff in identifying rural community priorities regarding business recruitment. The agent shall also develop a marketing and publicity plan that promotes the program and emphasizes the positive aspects of working and living in rural Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The urban-rural link commission is created. The commission's goal shall be to ensure that economic development returns the highest quality of life for all residents of the state. The commission shall seek cooperation between urban and rural communities in making the most effective use of infrastructure, transportation systems, human capital, cultural amenities, telecommunication systems, energy, water and other natural resources while ameliorating the negative effects of economic development to the state's environment and people. This commission shall be comprised of three members of the state senate, to be appointed by the president of the senate, and three members of the house of representatives, to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one member each from the state's research universities and the directors of the department of community development, trade and economic development, and employment security. One member residing within each of the state's congressional districts shall be appointed by the governor. In selecting members, the governor shall seek a balance of people representing economic development and environmental interests.

The members of the commission shall elect, by a majority of the membership, a member to serve as the chairperson. Commission members shall be compensated as provided under RCW 43.03.220.

The commission shall cease to exist on June 30, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The urban-rural link commission shall develop guidelines that shall be followed by the marketing agent when assisting businesses in their search for new or additional locations. The commission also shall recommend ways urban and rural communities can pursue their economic development and planning goals with a minimum of conflict and a maximum of cooperation. Additionally, the commission will identify the many ways to promote the benefits of rural life to urban business owners and investors. The department of trade and economic development shall provide staff support for the commission. The commission shall report its findings to the governor and legislature by January 1, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The department of general administration in consultation with the rural economic development commission shall inventory current and future office space use and needs and identify those office functions that could be located in a rural community. The department of general administration shall report its findings to the governor no later than June 30, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The sum of .......... dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the .......... fund to the department of .......... for the purposes of .......... .

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 2 through 6 of this act are each added to chapter 43.31 RCW.