HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 HJM 4013

                       As Passed House

                       March 11, 1993

Title:  An act relating to petitioning the federal government for coastal economic recovery investment.

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

Sponsors:  Representatives Kessler, Basich, Riley, Jones, Holm and J. Kohl.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 26, 1993, DP;

  Passed House, March 11, 1993, 98-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 11 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Forner, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Schoesler; Sheldon; Springer; Valle; and Wood.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  The coastal communities of the state of Washington have been impacted by the loss of additional 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 for dislocated forest product workers; college tuition and fee waivers for dislocated forest product workers; extended enrollment in the Washington Basic Health Plan for dislocated forest product workers; and rental and mortgage assistance to dislocated forest product workers.  However, the magnitude of the problem has surpassed the amount of resources that the state and local governments can provide.

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 for the plan, and to raise the per capita retail and property valuations up to the statewide per capita average in 10 years.

Summary of Bill:  The members of the Washington State Senate and House of Representatives ask President Clinton and the United States Congress to 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.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  The coastal communities have developed a recovery plan that allows them to get back on their feet by making investments in the community.  The funding would provide the necessary tools to aid in that recovery.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Kessler, prime sponsor (Pro); Kay Bernethy, Humptulips Food Bank (Pro); Dave Hamilton, Chehalis Basin Fisheries Task Force (Pro); Russ Richardson, Port of Grays Harbor (Pro); and Jeff Parsons, National Audubon Society (Pro).