House Bill Analysis — HB 1623, Regional Economic Development Visions and Action Plans (Washington, 2023)

Summary

House Bill Analysis for HB 1623 from the Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research, for the Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, with hearing date 2/1/23 and staff Cassie Jones. The brief description is concerning regional economic development visions and action plans. The brief summary says the bill requires the Department of Commerce to lead and facilitate a regional economic development vision and action plan for each region that includes a county eligible to be categorized as a distressed area. The summary of bill sets December 1, 2024, and every 10 years thereafter. The analysis lists the appropriation as none and a fiscal note requested on January 30, 2023.

Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used

Full text

Washington State                  BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research   ANALYSIS
Innovation, Community & Economic
Development, & Veterans Committee
                                         HB 1623
Brief Description: Concerning regional economic development visions and action plans.

Sponsors: Representatives Volz, Chapman, Walsh, Maycumber, Paul, Graham, Ryu, Chambers,
    Ybarra, Barnard, Christian, Walen, Tharinger and Shavers.


                                      Brief Summary of Bill
          • Requires the Department of Commerce to lead and facilitate the
            development of a regional economic development vision and action plan
            for each region of the state that includes a county that is eligible to be
            categorized as a distressed area based on its employment rate.


Hearing Date: 2/1/23

Staff: Cassie Jones (786-7303).

Background:

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) is responsible for promoting community and
economic development within the state by assisting the state's communities to increase the
quality of life of their citizens and their economic vitality, and by assisting the state's businesses
to maintain and increase their economic competitiveness, while maintaining a healthy
environment. Commerce's community and economic development responsibilities include:
    • providing advisory assistance to the Governor, other state agencies, and the Legislature on
      community and economic development matters;
    • assisting the Governor in coordinating the activities of state agencies that have an impact
      on local government and communities;
    • cooperating with the Legislature and the Governor in the development and implementation



     This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
     members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
     constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Analysis                              -1-                                          HB 1623
      of strategic plans for the state's community and economic development efforts;
    • soliciting private and federal grants for economic and community development programs
      and administering such programs;
    • cooperating with and providing technical and financial assistance to local governments,
      businesses, and community-based organizations for the purpose of aiding and encouraging
      orderly, productive, and coordinated development of the state; and
    • conducting research and analysis in furtherance of the state's economic and community
      development efforts, including maintaining current information on market, demographic,
      and economic trends as they affect different industrial sectors, geographic regions, and
      communities with special economic and social problems in the state.

Summary of Bill:

By December 1, 2024, and every 10 years thereafter, Commerce is required to lead and facilitate
the development of a regional economic development vision and action plan for each region of
the state that includes a county that is eligible to be categorized as a distressed area due to its
unemployment rate. There must be at least five regional vision and action plans completed, with
the boundaries of the regions to be determined at the discretion of Commerce after outreach to
affected communities.

The purpose of each regional economic development vision and action plan is to assist with
synchronizing local government policies and actions, and to guide and inform state funding and
policies connected to the economic development objectives. The action plans do not have the
force of law and may not compel any local or state action. In developing the vision and action
plans, Commerce must coordinate with local associate development organizations, local
government officials, the private sector business community, nonprofit organizations, and local
labor organizations. Commerce shall survey the local community with respect to their goals for
the future of the local economy. Commerce must request the cooperation of other state agencies
for research and analysis that may be required to complete the vision and action plans.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 30, 2023.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.




House Bill Analysis                            -2-                                         HB 1623


File and source

File

2023-02-03_a30620_d250384_bill-analysis.pdf

Size

7,529 bytes

SHA-256

394bdc338e7a57964d7ee5c835fcec6c8dff51d600b5039144102c4088e4bbbe

Our copy

2023-02-03_a30620_d250384_bill-analysis.pdf

Original

No public link identified.