Rep. Mike Chapman, D-Port Angeles, introduced five bills the first week of the 2019 session, including several that he says would boost the economies of small towns and rural Washington.

“This is about creating opportunity and hope in timber and farm country,” the 24th District legislator said. “And it’s not a partisan issue. I make a point of never introducing a big bill unless there’s support from a Republican colleague in the House of Representatives, and I’m proud to say all of these bills have Republican co-sponsors.”

Here are a few details about three bills aimed at boosting jobs in rural Washington:

House Bill 1324, economic development and enterprise zones — Under this legislation, the state would complement new federal laws offering a tax break in designated zones. The state portion would come in the form of tax credits to offset Business and Occupation taxes and insurance premium taxes to encourage new economic activity in rural development and opportunity zones.

House Bill 1348, rural manufacturing — This measure would modify the Business and Occupation tax structure for manufacturers to encourage economic growth and lower the unemployment rate across the state, especially in rural Washington, according to Chapman.

House Bill 1249, timber and manufacturing tax breaks — This legislation is aimed at reducing the Business and Occupation tax for manufacturers and extending an existing tax break for the timber industry that is set to expire.

Chapman also introduced measures to help rural counties handle the costs of public defenders (House Bill 1086) and aid first informer broadcasters (House Bill 1147).