RCW 82.14.370
Effective date-2007 c 478: "This act takes effect August 1, 2007." [ 2007 c 478 s 2.]
Intent-2004 c 130: "It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this 2004 act to reaffirm the original goals of the 1997 act which first provided distressed counties with the local option sales and use tax contained in RCW 82.14.370. The local option tax is now available to all rural counties and the continuing legislative goal for RCW 82.14.370 is to promote the creation, attraction, expansion, and retention of businesses and provide for family-wage jobs." [ 2004 c 130 s 1.]
Finding-Intent-1999 c 311: "The legislature finds that while Washington's economy is currently prospering, economic growth continues to be uneven, particularly as between metropolitan and rural areas. This has created in effect two Washingtons: One afflicted by inadequate infrastructure to support and attract investment, another suffering from congestion and soaring housing prices. In order to address these problems, the legislature intends to use resources strategically to build on our state's strengths while addressing threats to our prosperity." [ 1999 c 311 s 1.]
Part headings and subheadings not law-1999 c 311: "Part headings and subheadings used in this act are not any part of the law." [ 1999 c 311 s 601.]
Effective date-1999 c 311: "Sections 1, 101, 201, 301 through 305, 401, 402, 601, and 605 of this act take effect August 1, 1999." [ 1999 c 311 s 604.]
Severability-1999 c 311: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1999 c 311 s 606.]
Intent-1997 c 366: "The legislature recognizes the economic hardship that rural distressed areas throughout the state have undergone in recent years. Numerous rural distressed areas across the state have encountered serious economic downturns resulting in significant job loss and business failure. In 1991 the legislature enacted two major pieces of legislation to promote economic development and job creation, with particular emphasis on worker training, income, and emergency services support, along with community revitalization through planning services and infrastructure assistance. However even though these programs have been of assistance, rural distressed areas still face serious economic problems including: Above-average unemployment rates from job losses and below-average employment growth; low rate of business start-ups; and persistent erosion of vitally important resource-driven industries.
The legislature also recognizes that rural distressed areas in Washington have an abiding ability and consistent will to overcome these economic obstacles by building upon their historic foundations of business enterprise, local leadership, and outstanding work ethic.
The legislature intends to assist rural distressed areas in their ongoing efforts to address these difficult economic problems by providing a comprehensive and significant array of economic tools, necessary to harness the persistent and undaunted spirit of enterprise that resides in the citizens of rural distressed areas throughout the state.
The further intent of this act is to provide:
(1) A strategically designed plan of assistance, emphasizing state, local, and private sector leadership and partnership;
(2) A comprehensive and significant array of business assistance, services, and tax incentives that are accountable and performance driven;
(3) An array of community assistance including infrastructure development and business retention, attraction, and expansion programs that will provide a competitive advantage to rural distressed areas throughout Washington; and
(4) Regulatory relief to reduce and streamline zoning, permitting, and regulatory requirements in order to enhance the capability of businesses to grow and prosper in rural distressed areas." [ 1997 c 366 s 1.]
Goals-1997 c 366: "The primary goals of chapter 366, Laws of 1997 are to:
(1) Promote the ongoing operation of business in rural distressed areas;
(2) Promote the expansion of existing businesses in rural distressed areas;
(3) Attract new businesses to rural distressed areas;
(4) Assist in the development of new businesses from within rural distressed areas;
(5) Provide family-wage jobs to the citizens of rural distressed areas; and
(6) Promote the development of communities of excellence in rural distressed areas." [ 1997 c 366 s 2.]
Severability-1997 c 366: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1997 c 366 s 11.]
Captions and part headings not law-1997 c 366: "Section captions and part headings used in this act are not any part of the law." [ 1997 c 366 s 12.]