FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1059

PARTIAL VETO

C 404 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating a joint committee on trade policy.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Veloria, Sump, Grant and Clements).

House Committee on Trade & Economic Development

Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade

Background:

Washington's economy relies significantly on international trade. There are many international agreements and ongoing negotiations that could significantly impact Washington's economy, regulations and statutes. However, there is no formal role for the Legislature to weigh in on the debate nor any formal and focused legislative audience to concentrate on such agreements and negotiations.

Summary:

The Joint Legislative Committee on Trade Policy (Committee) is created. The Committee will include four senators and four representatives and three ex officio members. The senators, two from each of the two largest political parties, will be appointed by the President of the Senate (President). The representatives, two from each of the two largest political parties, will be appointed by the Speaker of the House (Speaker). Vacancies are filled by appointment by the Speaker or President, and must be filled by the same house and party as the member whose seat is being vacated. The ex officio members, who are appointed by the Speaker and the President, must include representatives from the Department of Agriculture and the Office of the Attorney General as well as the State Trade Representative.

At least once per year, the Committee must hear public testimony on the actual impacts of international trade agreements and negotiations on Washington state. It must submit a report on the public testimony to the State Trade Representative and the Legislature.

The Committee must maintain active communication with the State Trade Representative's office, the United States Trade Representative's office, Washington's congressional delegation, and the National Conference of State Legislatures as well as other appropriate groups regarding the ongoing developments in international trade agreements and policy.

The Committee must conduct an annual assessment of the impact of international trade agreements on Washington law and report their findings to the Legislature.

Staff support will be provided by Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research.

Votes on Final Passage:

House 97  0

Senate 47  0

Effective: July 27, 2003

                  May 20, 2003 (Section 2)

Partial Veto Summary: The Governor vetoed the portion that authorizes the appointment of ex officio members of the Joint Committee.