"Rural county" is defined in economic development statutes as a county with a population density of fewer than 100 persons per square mile or a county smaller than 225 square miles. The Office of Financial Management determines which Washington counties are rural and publishes the determination each year. As of April 1, 2023, 30 of Washington's 39 counties are rural counties: Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Clallam, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima.
"Rural county" is further defined for contracts and taxes. Regarding contracts, the definition addresses the award of contracts between the Department of Commerce and associate development associations; regarding taxes, the definition addresses local retail sales and use taxes. In both, a rural county is defined as a county with a population density of less than 100 persons per square mile or a county smaller than 225 square miles, as determined by the Office of Financial Management under a statute directing the Office of Financial Management to prepare population projections for counties that adopt a comprehensive plan under the Growth Management Act.
"Rural county" is also defined in the Department of Commerce statute addressing the low-income rehabilitation revolving loan program and grant program as an area of Washington defined as a non-entitlement area by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Non-entitlement areas are cities with populations of less than 50,000, with some exceptions, and counties with populations of less than 200,000.
A "frontier county" is defined as a county with a population density of less than 50 persons per square mile. A "Frontier One" county has a population density of 20 or less persons per square mile. A "Frontier Two" county has a population density of 21 to 50 persons per square mile. The population density will be determined by the Office of Financial Management and published each year.
A frontier county is also a rural county, and as such, a frontier county is eligible for all benefits, services, and programs available to a rural county, unless specifically excluded.
The substitute bill creates two categories of frontier counties, based on population density. A "Frontier One" county has a population density of 20 or less persons per square mile. A "Frontier Two" county has a population density of 21 to 50 persons per square mile.
(In support) The definition of a rural county is 100 people per square mile or less; frontier counties will be 50. It is a better way to target the truly rural, smaller areas. A small town usually has a mayor and city council, and maybe one policeman. Even with a rural designation, some small towns have to compete with cities that have six to eight people in their planning department. The bill doesn't adopt a policy or ask for any money; it just creates a definition that sets aside the more rural counties into a frontier designation. This would be useful in broadband spending. Even with $50 million dedicated to the places that need it the most, not a penny went to rural which was really discouraging. These are really remote, low income, impoverished, and racially dispersed areas that are in dire straits. The rural definition is too broad to take in places that need help the most. If the Legislature decides to help some of the toughest areas in the state, this will provide a more targeted way to do it.
(Opposed) None.
Representative Joel Kretz, prime sponsor.