SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5379
As of January 23, 2023
Title: An act relating to supporting innovation at associate development organizations.
Brief Description: Supporting innovation at associate development organizations.
Sponsors: Senators Frame, Dozier, Boehnke, Hasegawa, Salda?a, Shewmake and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade: 1/24/23.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Establishes a grant program, through the Department of Commerce, to support and catalyze initiatives to foster innovation, sustainability, partnerships, and equity at associate development organizations.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, FINANCIAL SERVICES, GAMING & TRADE
Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)
Background:

Washington State is composed of 39 counties, each one represented by an Associate Development Organization (ADO) that furthers that county’s, or region's, economic development goals. ADOs are funded in part by the Department of Commerce (Commerce), and their performance and expertise is used for economic development statewide.
Summary of Bill:

Commerce must establish an annual competitive grant program to support and catalyze initiatives to foster innovation, sustainability, partnerships, and equity at ADOs. Commerce shall develop grant criteria with relevant stakeholders and award funding based on initiatives aligned with its work and priorities. Awards must be given equitably across the state.

 

Grant recipients must provide information on the use of their award funding to Commerce, and Commerce must provide that information in its report to the Legislature beginning with its December 31, 2026, report.

 

The Associate Development Organization Innovation, Sustainability, Partnerships, and Equity Grant Account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. The account may consist of state appropriations, private contributions, and other sources, to fund the grant program. An appropriation is not required to spend money from the account.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 13, 2023.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.