BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to international trade; adding new sections to chapter 43.330 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; creating a new section; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) The expansion of international trade is vital to the overall growth of Washington's economy;

(b) 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

(c) 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.

(2) The legislature declares that the purpose of chapter ..., Laws of 1994 (this act) is to bring the functions of international trade together under a new office under the office of the governor in order to establish a viable, coordinated, and comprehensive approach to the state's international trade efforts.

PART I--OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The office of international trade is created within the office of the governor. The office of international trade shall serve as the state's official liaison with foreign governments and business overseas.

(2) The governor shall appoint the Washington state trade representative who shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The Washington state trade representative is exempt from chapter 41.06 RCW. The Washington state trade representative must be paid a salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040.

(3) The Washington state trade representative may hire such personnel as are necessary for the general administration of the office of international trade. To the extent permitted by law, a state agency may temporarily loan staff to the office of international trade to assist in carrying out the office of international trade's duties and responsibilities under this chapter. An arrangement to temporarily loan staff must have the approval of the staff member to be loaned, the Washington state trade representative of the office of international trade, and the agency involved in the loan.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The purposes of the office of international trade 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. The Washington state trade representative may:

(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 various state 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 state's council on international trade, by December 1, 1994, a five-year international trade strategy that specifies how the state plans to assist businesses expand their exports overseas, especially small and medium-sized businesses;

(6) Accept or request grants or gifts from public and private sources to be used to defray the costs of the operation of the office; and

(7) Advise the governor and the legislature on the state's activities in expanding international trade opportunities for Washington businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses.

PART II--INTERNATIONAL TRADE OFFICES

Subpart A‑-Canada Trade Office

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall establish a Washington state trade office in Canada.

Subpart B--China Trade Office

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall establish a Washington state trade office in the People's Republic of China.

Subpart C--Mexico Trade Office

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall establish a Washington state trade office in the United Mexican States.

Subpart D--South Africa Trade Office

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall establish a Washington state trade office in the Republic of South Africa.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. Part and subpart headings as used in this act constitute no part of the law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. (1) The sum of two 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 sections 1 through 4 of this act.

(2) The sum of two hundred twenty-five 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 department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of sections 5 through 8 of this act.