HOUSE BILL REPORT

                2SSJM 8003

                       As Passed House

                        March 2, 1994

Brief Description:  Petitioning Congress to establish the Rural Development Council on a permanent basis.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Skratek, Erwin, Sheldon, Bluechel, M. Rasmussen, Deccio and von Reichbauer).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 17, 1994, DP.

Passed House, March 2, 1994, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Quall; Sheldon; Springer and Valle.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  During the decade of the 1980s and into the early 1990s, much of rural Washington experienced economic distress and population decline as compared to the rapidly growing Puget Sound region.  The reasons for the dramatic disparity between the two regions of the state are complex and varied.  However, the challenges facing resource-based industries as compared to the dramatic growth opportunities in aerospace and technology-based products has been one of the major contributors to this phenomenon.

In 1990 the federal government by presidential initiative invited states to participate in a program of rural development.  As part of the initiative, states were required to establish state rural development councils.  The state councils are comprised of representatives from the federal, state, local and tribal governments along with private and nonprofit sectors.  The purpose of the state councils is to increase efforts to promote coordination and cooperation in promoting economic vitality in rural areas.  Eight states were selected to participate in the initial pilot program.

In 1992 the federal government extended an invitation for an additional 16 states to participate in the Presidential Initiative for state rural development councils.

Summary of Bill:  The President, the Congress and the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture are requested to continue the partnership between federal agencies and the Washington State Rural Development Council.  A request is also made to continue the participation and financial support by Washington State agencies and branches of state government to further the accomplishments by the Washington State Rural Development Council.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  None.