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Bill Analysis — HB 1835, Defining Frontier Counties (Washington House Office of Program Research)

Summary

Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research bill analysis for the Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee on HB 1835, defining frontier counties, with a hearing date of 1/23/24 and staff member Martha Wehling. The sponsors are Representatives Kretz, Chapman, Maycumber, Tharinger, Harris and Dent. The brief summary states that the bill adds a definition of frontier county to statutes addressing economic development, excise tax, and the Department of Commerce. The analysis states that a frontier county is also a rural county, and lists a fiscal note requested on January 17, 2024.

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“Bill Analysis — HB 1835, Defining Frontier Counties (Washington House Office of Program Research).” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2024-01-23-a31735-d265880-bill-analysis-c24e5a16f4/, SHA-256 9aab50f55ec11eed980df5f70266ae71b62a87c66950401ce047dd2e797a3dd2.

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Washington State                  BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research   ANALYSIS
Innovation, Community & Economic
Development, & Veterans Committee
                                        HB 1835
Brief Description: Defining frontier counties.

Sponsors: Representatives Kretz, Chapman, Maycumber, Tharinger, Harris and Dent.


                                     Brief Summary of Bill
          • Adds definition of "frontier county" to statutes addressing economic
            development, excise tax, and the Department of Commerce.
          • Defines "frontier county" as a county with a population density less than
            50 persons per square mile.


Hearing Date: 1/23/24

Staff: Martha Wehling (786-7067).

Background:

"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




     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 1835
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.

Summary of Bill:

A "frontier county" is defined as a county with a population density of less than 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.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 17, 2024.

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




House Bill Analysis                              -2-                                           HB 1835

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