The bill amends existing laws regarding associate development organizations in Washington State, specifically RCW 43.330.082 and RCW 43.330.086. It requires contracting organizations to provide annual performance measures and reports that detail their impact on employment and economic conditions in their regions. The bill emphasizes the need for consistent performance measures across regions to facilitate statewide evaluation. Additionally, it mandates that organizations failing to meet performance targets develop remediation plans and face potential contract termination for nonperformance. The department is also tasked with submitting a final report to the legislature every even-numbered year on the performance results of these contracts.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the funding structure for associate development organizations, increasing the maximum allocation for urban counties to $500,000 per organization and establishing a base allocation for rural counties between $85,000 and $150,000. It introduces a matched allocation requirement that can be fulfilled through cash or in-kind contributions, with a limit on the in-kind match to 25% of the local match. These changes aim to enhance the effectiveness and accountability of associate development organizations in promoting economic growth and employment in their respective areas.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 43.330.082, 43.330.086