H-1985.1                  _______________________________________________

                                             SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1808

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Shin, Mastin, Forner, Wineberry, Rayburn, Jones, Cothern, J. Kohl, Wang, Van Luven, Chandler and Linville)

Read first time 03/03/93.

Creating the Washington council on international trade.

          AN ACT Relating to international trade; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that the expansion of international trade is vital to the economy of Washington state.  International trade-related activities currently account for approximately twenty percent of employment in this state even though only a small percentage of businesses do extensive exporting.  Washington's long-term economic prosperity depends on the creation and retention of jobs that international trade provides through providing an expanded marketplace for goods and services produced in this state.  Increasing the number of businesses exporting and the foreign markets accessed helps diversify the state economy and make the state's businesses more competitive by providing experience in the international marketplace.  There are many international markets that offer export potential for Washington businesses that are not currently being accessed, particularly several Pacific rim countries.  The legislature also finds that there presently exists several programs and initiatives by federal, state, and local governments that have to be coordinated effectively within and among economic development organizations, state agencies, academic institutions, and businesses so as to enhance the sale of goods and services in foreign markets.

          Therefore, the legislature declares that an important public purpose can be accomplished through an international trade council that, through coordination and advice, can facilitate increased exporting by Washington businesses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  (1) The governor's council on international trade is established in the office of the governor.  The council shall consist of twenty members as follows:

          (a) Two members of trade organizations, appointed by the governor;

          (b) Two representatives of ports, appointed by the governor;

          (c) Four representatives of businesses active in exporting goods, appointed by the governor;

          (d) The chair of the house trade, economic development and housing committee and the chair of the senate trade, technology and economic development committee;

          (e) Two members with experience in foreign marketing, appointed by the governor;

          (f) Two experts in financing export transactions;

          (g) The director of the department of trade and economic development, who shall chair the council;

          (h) The director of the department of agriculture; and

          (i) Four legislators, one from each major caucus in each chamber, two appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and two appointed by the president of the senate.

          (2) Nonlegislative members may receive reimbursement for travel under RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.  Legislative members may be reimbursed under RCW 41.04.300.

          (3) The council shall:

          (a) Advise the governor and departments of trade and economic development and agriculture regarding policies, programs, and activities to enhance the exporting of Washington goods and services to international markets;

          (b) Review current state export targeting efforts and advise the governor and agency directors regarding markets with potential that currently are not being emphasized;

          (c) Assist in the coordination of public export programs state-wide;

          (d) Identify for the governor and legislature current and long-term international trade issues that need to be addressed by the state; and

          (e) Recommend methods to increase the awareness of international trade, especially its opportunities and its importance, throughout the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The council may accept gifts, grants, donations, devises, and bequests to facilitate the work of the council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  The council shall make a preliminary report to the governor and the appropriate standing committees in the legislature on its activities by June 1, 1994, and make a final report by December 1, 1994.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.  This act shall expire on June 30, 1995.

                                                           --- END ---