H-2970.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2256
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1994 Regular Session
By Representatives Valle, Shin, Sheldon, Flemming, Springer, Johanson, Wineberry, Campbell, Veloria, Conway, J. Kohl and Morris
Read first time 01/12/94. Referred to Committee on State Government.
AN ACT Relating to international trade; adding new sections to chapter 43.06 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds and declares that:
(1) The expansion of international trade is vital to the overall growth of Washington's economy;
(2) The current state efforts to develop relations with foreign countries are insufficient for effective coordination and mobilization of resources necessary to promote economic growth and international trade; and
(3) There is a need to strengthen and coordinate the state's activities in marketing its agricultural, manufacturing, and service industries overseas, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.06 RCW to read as follows:
There is created within the office of the governor the office of Washington state trade representative.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.06 RCW to read as follows:
The purposes of the office of Washington state trade representative are to:
(1) Strengthen the state's activities in marketing its agricultural, manufacturing, and service industries overseas;
(2) Respond to industry complaints concerning foreign trade barriers, and help represent its interest before appropriate agencies;
(3) Expand export opportunities for the state's small and medium-sized businesses; and
(4) Participate in the development of international agreements that affect Washington's economic interest in cooperation with the office of the United States trade representative.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.06 RCW to read as follows:
The Washington state trade representative shall:
(1) Consult with the department of agriculture and the various agricultural commissions, created in Title 15 RCW, on the promotion of Washington agricultural commodities overseas;
(2) Consult with the department of community, trade, and economic development on the promotion of Washington manufacturing and service industries overseas;
(3) Coordinate the activities of the state's international trade offices;
(4) Organize, coordinate, promote, and participate in export promotion events including, but not limited to, trade fairs, missions, delegations, marts, seminars, and advertising;
(5) Develop, in consultation with the department of agriculture and the department of community, trade, and economic development a five-year international trade strategy that specifies how the state plans to assist businesses and expand their exports overseas; and
(6) Advise the governor and the legislature on state activities in expanding international trade opportunities for Washington businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1995, from the general fund to the office of the governor for the purposes of this act.
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