FINAL BILL REPORT

                 HJM 4013

                    As Passed Legislature

Brief Description:  Petitioning the federal government for coastal economic recovery investment.

By Representatives Kessler, Basich, Riley, Jones, Holm and J. Kohl.

House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development

Background:  The coastal communities of the state of Washington have been impacted by the loss of timber-related jobs.  In 1991, the Legislature provided assistance to timber impacted communities to help mitigate the affects of the loss of employment in the timber industry.  The assistance provided to dislocated forest product workers included:  enhanced retraining, support services and job search services; extended unemployment compensation; college tuition and fee waivers; extended enrollment in the Washington Basic Health Plan; and rental and mortgage assistance.

In response to continued job loss in the timber industry, the coastal communities have developed the Coast Economic Recovery Program.  The goals of the program are to create jobs by utilizing the natural resources of the area, to create a local decision-making organization and establish sources of funding, and to raise the per capita retail and property valuations up to the statewide per capita average in 10 years.

Summary:  The members of the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives request that President Clinton and the United States Congress fund the following elements of the Coastal Economic Recovery Plan: (1) $50 million for habitat restoration jobs; (2) $17.5 million for new coastal hatcheries; (3) $12 million for coastal tourism infrastructure facilities; (4) $5 million for educational facilities at Grays Harbor College for dislocated timber workers; and (5) $10 million for coastal transportation facilities for tourism and outdoor recreation.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  98 0

Senate 40 0 (Senate amended)

House  93 0 (House concurred)