AN ACT Relating to rural revitalization; adding new sections to chapter 43.63A RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that rural areas of Washington are a vital component of the state's economy and that in recent years numerous rural communities have undergone severe economic downturns resulting in job dislocation and high unemployment rates. Maintenance of a balanced state-wide economy is dependent on rural areas being a partner in growth and continuing to provide employment opportunities for the citizens of those regions.

The legislature further finds that several state agencies administer numerous rural development programs and in order to ensure a maximum level of program effectiveness it is necessary to:

(1) Coordinate state activities which will facilitate and promote effective delivery of state services; and

(2) Undertake several ambitious and cooperative development projects to assist rural communities that are experiencing economic decline.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. DEFINITIONS. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout sections 1 through 10 of this act.

(1) "Council" means the rural revitalization council chaired by the director of the department of community development or the director's designee and comprised of directors of state agencies or their designees and representatives of public and private local, regional, and state-wide organizations that are active in rural development.

(2) "Department" means the department of community development.

(3) "Project" means the rural revitalization project established under section 5 of this act.

(4) "Rural area" means (a) all Washington communities located outside of a standard metropolitan statistical area; or (b) all Washington communities located within a standard metropolitan statistical area with a population of less than ten thousand.

(5) "Traditional industries" means those industries that have historically provided the primary employment and income base to the region, including but not limited to, natural resource-based industries, agriculture, and industries that receive federal funding.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES. The council shall be appointed by the governor, upon recommendations from the department, and shall have the following responsibilities and powers:

(1) Providing policy direction and promote coordination of the state's rural development programs;

(2) Advising state government agencies regarding revisions or additions to executive branch programs that will improve services to rural areas;

(3) Selecting rural revitalization projects; and

(4) Building local capacity through leadership training.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. COOPERATION OF STATE AGENCIES. State agencies with responsibilities that pertain to rural areas shall cooperate with the council and assist it in accomplishing its legislative mandate. The department may adopt rules to facilitate this coordination.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. RURAL REVITALIZATION PROJECTS ESTABLISHED. The department, in consultation with the council, shall establish and administer a state rural revitalization program, the goals of which shall be:

(1) To support the development and implementation of locally driven rural revitalization strategies that address community needs. These strategies may include but are not limited to formation of new businesses and industries, retention and expansion of viable existing businesses and industries, and maintenance or development of infrastructure and essential public services conducive to area revitalization;

(2) To increase the capacity of rural areas to plan, organize, and implement revitalization initiatives, with an emphasis on local decision making and leadership development;

(3) To encourage partnerships among rural communities and those organizations, public and private, that serve rural areas. Particular emphasis shall be placed on coordination of targeted state agency programs on locally initiated and locally driven revitalization projects.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. RURAL REVITALIZATION PROJECT IDENTIFICATION. (1) The department, in consultation with the council, shall develop comprehensive guidelines for identification and administration of the projects established under section 5 of this act. Local governments or nonprofit local development organizations may submit applications to the department to participate in the projects. Any local government or entity requesting participation in the project must demonstrate the cooperative participation of a cross-section of the local community where the project is to take place, including business, labor, education and training, and other public and private sector agencies. The size of the geographic area covered by the proposal shall be determined by local applicants. Applicants may submit proposals covering areas representing one or more communities. Applications submitted by several communities jointly that propose an integrated approach are encouraged. Communities whose economies are dependent on natural resources or agriculture and who are not benefiting from the economic growth generated from prosperous urban areas shall be encouraged to apply.

(2) A project application to the council shall include but not be limited to:

(a) A list of individuals that are willing to act as a local advisory board that will assist the department in the implementation of the project;

(b) A detailed description of the local economic situation;

(d) An outline of the goals for the project.

(3) The department shall solicit applications from eligible rural areas that desire to participate in the rural revitalization program and shall evaluate these applications in consultation with the council. A project application shall include but not be limited to a description of:

(a) The need or opportunity to be addressed and its importance to the area;

(b) The approach proposed and expected outcomes;

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. APPLICATION EVALUATION. In deciding which project to undertake, the council shall consider the following factors:

(1) The degree of economic distress in the community;

(2) Community initiative;

(3) The degree to which additional state assistance is required to accomplish the project's goals; and

(4) The feasibility of significantly impacting the community's economic condition, and its surrounding region.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. STAFFING. The director of the department shall provide staffing to the council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. DEPARTMENT OVERSIGHT. The department, in consultation with the council, shall be responsible for:

(1) Oversight and implementation of the project;

(2) Assessment and effectiveness of the project;

(3) Coordination of multi-agency efforts;

(4) Acting as liaison with other local governments and interested entities; and

(5) Providing or coordinating the delivery of technical and managerial assistance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. CONTRACTING. The department may contract for services as it deems necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. CAPTIONS NOT LAW. Section captions as used in sections 1 through 11 of this act do not constitute any part of the law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. Sections 1 through 11 of this act are each added to chapter 43.63A RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.