BILL REQ. #:  H-4259.1 

Read first time 01/26/2004.   Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to economic development of historic county courthouses; adding a new section to chapter 27.34 RCW; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and providing an effective date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that twenty-eight of the state's thirty-nine currently operating county courthouses appear to meet the state criteria as historic buildings. Washington's historic county courthouses are an unsurpassed historical and architectural collection reflecting civic pride, local heritage, and master craftsmanship. These buildings are intensively used by the public as the seats of county government and as judicial and criminal justice centers. As anchors of the downtown commercial cores of their communities, these courthouses strengthen local commerce, attract tourism, and provide a sense of identity. Capital improvements to these landmarks are needed to protect their safety and historic and architectural integrity.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 27.34 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The historic county courthouse grant program is established for the protection and preservation of the state's historic county courthouses.
     (2) The historic county courthouse account is created in the state treasury. Legislative appropriations for the purpose of the historic county courthouse grant program shall be deposited to the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account shall be used exclusively to fund the historic county courthouse grant program.
     (3) The office of archaeology and historic preservation within the department of community, trade, and economic development shall administer the historic county courthouse grant program. No more than one percent of the expenditures from the historic county courthouse account may be used for the administrative purposes of the department. All other expenditures from the account shall be for grants to be made to counties for the protection and preservation of courthouses that meet the eligibility requirements for listing on the Washington heritage register established under RCW 27.34.220. Counties receiving grants under this section shall provide an equal amount of matching funds from public or private sources.
     (4) By October 1, 2004, the department shall establish eligibility criteria and a grant application process. Grants may be made for courthouse protection and preservation, including character defining architectural features, general repairs, system upgrades, and improvements to access and accommodations for persons with disabilities. All rehabilitation work shall comply with the federal department of the interior's standards for rehabilitation. Grants shall not be used for expenditures for courthouse maintenance. Only counties with historic courthouses that continue to maintain county functions are eligible for grants under this section.
     (5) The office of archaeology and historic preservation shall establish an historic courthouse advisory board that includes two county elected officials appointed by the Washington state association of counties, two county elected officials appointed by the Washington association of county officials, a representative of a statewide historic preservation organization, a representative from a county heritage commission that is a certified local government, a member of the senate appointed by the president of the senate, a member of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, a member of the state advisory council on historic preservation, and up to three at-large members with expertise in architecture, architectural history, construction, construction management, engineering, planning, or a related field.
     (6) If available funds in the account exceed eligible courthouse grant recipients, historic county-owned facilities such as libraries, museums, and hospitals may apply for grants using the same criteria.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The sum of ten million dollars is appropriated from the state building construction account for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, to the historic county courthouse account. The department of community, trade, and economic development may expend up to ten million dollars from the account during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, to carry out the purposes of section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act takes effect July 1, 2004.