SB 5564, AWC’s economic development priority bill, is scheduled for a public hearing on April 3. Introduced by Sen. Sharon Brown (R–Kennewick), SB 5564 allows local governments to compete for state sales tax credits to finance infrastructure improvements that spur private investments. Since it is considered “necessary to implement the budget” (NTIB), the bill is not subject to normal cutoff rules.

In addition to moving the bill out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, AWC will be requesting an amendment to the bill to increase the amount of funding available and the removal of the limit on the number of eligible projects.

In AWC’s 2018 survey of Washington cities and towns, respondents named economic development as their number one priority. If passed, SB 5564 will be a critical tool for cities and towns to encourage local economic development.

Dates to remember

SB 5564 is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday, April 3 at 1:30 pm.