(1) The board may make low-interest or interest-free loans to local governments for preconstruction activities on public works projects before the legislature approves the construction phase of the project. Preconstruction activities include design, engineering, bid-document preparation, environmental studies, right-of-way acquisition, and other preliminary phases of public works projects as determined by the board. The purpose of the loans authorized in this section is to accelerate the completion of public works projects by allowing preconstruction activities to be performed before the approval of the construction phase of the project by the legislature.

     (2) Projects receiving loans for preconstruction activities under this section must be evaluated using the priority process and factors in *RCW 43.155.070(2). The receipt of a loan for preconstruction activities does not ensure the receipt of a construction loan for the project under this chapter. Construction loans for projects receiving a loan for preconstruction activities under this section are subject to legislative approval under *RCW 43.155.070 (4) and (5). The board shall adopt a single application process for local governments seeking both a loan for preconstruction activities under this section and a construction loan for the project.

[2001 c 131 § 4; 1995 c 363 § 2.]

NOTES:

     *Reviser's note: RCW 43.155.070 was amended by 1999 c 164 § 602, changing subsections (2), (4), and (5) to subsections (4), (6), and (7), respectively.

     Finding -- Purpose -- 1995 c 363: "The legislature finds that there continues to exist a great need for capital projects to plan, acquire, design, construct, and repair local government streets, roads, bridges, water systems, and storm and sanitary sewage systems. It is the purpose of this act to accelerate the construction of these projects under the public works assistance program." [1995 c 363 § 1.]