FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 6082

                          C 282 L 94

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the center for international trade in forest products.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Snyder, Bluechel, Amondson, Skratek, Hargrove, Sheldon, Owen, M. Rasmussen, Oke and Erwin)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

BACKGROUND:

The Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR) was established in statute in 1985 with responsibilities for (1) conducting research for expansion of forest-based international trade in manufactured forest products; (2) developing industrial technology to meet international customers' needs; (3) coordinating and disseminating market and technical information; (4) providing graduate education; (5) cooperating with other state and federal agencies; and (6) seeking financial support from private industry and from federal and other government sources.

In response to a 1991 Legislative Budget Committee sunset review, the 1992 Legislature made a number of changes to CINTRAFOR's enabling statute, including placing more emphasis on the provision of research, analysis, and market information of value to secondary manufacturers.  The 1992 Legislature also set a new sunset date of June 30, 1994.

The Legislative Budget Committee conducted another sunset review during 1993 and recommended continuation of CINTRAFOR.  However, the review surfaced concerns that CINTRAFOR was not meeting the legislative intent to focus more closely on secondary manufacturing issues.

SUMMARY:

CINTRAFOR is directed to provide technical assistance in the commercialization of manufactured products and the development of research and analysis on the quality and availability of wood resources.  The center is to give special emphasis to secondary manufacturing in its work and assist in the development of a wood products manufacturing curriculum.

The center's executive policy board is to have at least 50 percent of its business members representing small and medium-sized businesses.   The board is also to include a representative of the community and technical colleges, a representative of a wood products manufacturing network or trade association of small and medium sized wood manufacturers, and representatives of state and federal agencies.

The center is to report annually on its work and is subject to sunset in 2000.

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is to develop a competency based technical degree program in wood product manufacturing and wood technology and make it available in timber impact areas.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    46   1

House     85   11   (House amended)

Senate    42   0   (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 1, 1994