Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Community & Economic Development & Trade Committee

HB 2242

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Creating a department of commerce.

Sponsors: Representatives Kenney, Probst, Maxwell, Hunt, Liias, Ormsby, Kelley, Sullivan, Hasegawa, Quall and White; by request of Governor Gregoire.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Changes a number of statutory references from the "Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development" to the "Department of Commerce".

  • Directs the Code Reviser to prepare legislation for the 2010 session that changes all statutory references accordingly.

  • Provides an emergency clause and an effective date of July 1, 2009.

  • Makes various technical changes.

Hearing Date: 2/18/09

Staff: Meg Van Schoorl (786-7105)

Background:

The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED) is an executive branch agency that was created in 1994 through the consolidation of the Department of Community Development and the Department of Trade and Economic Development. The DCTED is responsible for promoting community and economic development statewide by (1) assisting communities to increase their economic vitality and the quality of their citizen's lives, and (2) assisting the state's businesses to maintain and increase their economic competitiveness while maintaining a healthy environment.

Summary of Bill:

A number of statutory references to the "Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development" are changed to the "Department of Commerce".

The Code Reviser is directed to prepare legislation for the 2010 session that changes all statutory references from the "Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development" to "Department of Commerce".

The intent section from the merger of the Department of Community Development and the Department of Trade and Economic Development is decodified, as is a section directing the 1996 transfer of the Energy Office to DCTED.

Various other technical changes are made.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on February 16, 2009.

Effective Date: There is an emergency clause and the bill takes effect July 1, 2009.