Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Trade & Economic Development Committee

HB 2075

Brief Description:  Revising provisions for the office of the Washington state trade representative.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mulliken and Veloria.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Clarifies the duties of the Office of the Washington State Trade Representative (WSTR) regarding analysis and input on international trade and investor agreements and their impact on Washington=s businesses and firms.

$Requires the WSTR to report annually on its activities to the Governor and appropriate legislative committees.

Hearing Date:  2/27/01

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786‑7392).

Background: 

The (WSTR) was created in the Office of the Governor by the Legislature in1995.  The WSTR is the state=s official liaison to foreign governments on trade matters.

The WSTR is authorized to accept or request grants or gifts from citizens and other private sources.  These funds may be used to help defray the costs of hosting foreign dignitaries and other activities of the WSTR.  The WSTR must open and maintain a bank account for the deposit of all receipts of grants and gifts.  All money and interest in the WSTR bank account are not considered public funds and are not subject to appropriation or the state=s budgeting, accounting, or reporting requirements.

Summary of Bill: 

The duties of the (WSTR) are clarified in statute.  The WSTR duties include: (1) Reviewing and analyzing proposed and enacted international trade agreements and assessing their impact on Washington=s businesses and firms; (2) providing input to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the development of international trade, commodity, and direct investment policies that concern the state of Washington; (3) working with the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development and the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide strategy design to increase the export of Washington=s goods and services, in particular goods and services from small and medium-sized businesses, and (4) conducting other activities the Governor deems necessary to promote international trade and foreign investment within the state.

The WSTR must prepare and submit an annual report on its activities and duties to the Governor and the appropriate legislative committees.

The language regarding the acceptance of grants or gifts from citizens and other private citizens that are used to defray the cost of hosting foreign dignitaries, the requirement to maintain a bank account, and that the bank account is not subject to state budgeting, accounting, and reporting requirements is re-codified as a new section.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.