BILL REQ. #:  H-4135.1 

Read first time 01/16/08.   Referred to Committee on Local Government.

     AN ACT Relating to assisting small communities in planning for new growth and development; adding new sections to chapter 35.21 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Many cities and towns located in the more rural areas of the state are beginning to experience the opportunities and challenges associated with unprecedented levels of growth and new development. These communities typically lack the resources necessary to adequately plan and prepare for essential infrastructure needed to accommodate this new growth. Effective planning at the local level promotes economic well-being and quality of life in all communities. It is the intent of the legislature to assist eligible small towns and cities in planning for the infrastructure necessary to support new growth and development.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department of community, trade, and economic development shall create and monitor a small communities infrastructure planning grant program, in which the department shall select grant recipients and make grant awards based on the eligibility criteria set forth in subsection (2) of this section. The department shall use existing staff and resources to administer this program.
     (2)(a) Only those cities and towns having a population of less than seven thousand five hundred, as determined by the office of financial management, and located in rural areas of the state are eligible to receive grant awards under this program.
     (b) Eligible activities for cities and towns to receive grant awards include:
     (i) Transportation, utility, and capital facilities planning;
     (ii) Multijurisdictional infrastructure planning, including joint planning between local jurisdictions and the private sector;
     (iii) Updating comprehensive plans and development regulations consistent with this grant program; and
     (iv) Other planning and technical assistance activities consistent with the purposes of this grant program.
     (c) Priority must be given to those applicants seeking grant awards to support activities meeting the criteria listed in (b)(i) or (ii) of this subsection.
     (3) A grant award under this program does not affect an applicant's eligibility to access other state or federal financial or technical assistance programs.
     (4) Beginning in December 2009, the department shall submit an annual report to the transportation and local government committees of the legislature that identifies the number of applications received, the communities selected to receive a grant award, the activity or activities for which each grant award was made, and the amount of each grant award. If practicable, the report should also include a status update of progress made toward achieving the purposes of the grant award.
     (5) This section does not create an entitlement for a grant award.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 35.21 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The small communities infrastructure planning account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from the proceeds of bond sales, tax revenues, budget transfers, federal appropriations, gifts, or any other lawful source must be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used only to award grants to eligible cities and towns under the small communities infrastructure planning grant program created in section 2 of this act.
     (2) The department of community, trade, and economic development shall provide management services for the account and establish procedures for account management.