FINAL BILL REPORT

EHB 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.

PARTIAL VETO

C 565 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Creating a department of commerce.

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

House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade

Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

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 economic vitality and the quality of citizen's lives, and (2) assisting the state's businesses to maintain and increase economic competitiveness while maintaining a healthy environment.

Summary:

A Department of Commerce (Department) is created. By November 1, 2009, its director must develop a report for the Governor and appropriate legislative committees. This report must include analyses and recommendations for statutory changes that ensure the Department will have: a concise core mission; be aligned with the state's comprehensive economic development plan; be accountable and transparent; leverage state private and federal resources; maximize partnerships and use intermediaries; be focused and flexible in response to changing conditions; and increase local capacity building to respond to opportunities and needs.

The report must include recommendations for creating or consolidating programs important to meeting the Department's core mission, as well as recommendations for terminating or transferring programs that are inconsistent with the core mission.

The Director of the Department must collaborate with the Governor's Office, the Office of Financial Management, the Economic Development Commission, and ten legislative committee chairs and ranking minority members, as well as soliciting input from businesses, employees, economic development practitioners, local governments, planning professionals, community and housing organizations, and other key community and economic development stakeholders.

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 the "Department of Commerce."

Votes on Final Passage:

House

96

1

Senate

47

0

(Senate amended)

House

93

1

(House concurred)

Effective:

July 26, 2009

Partial Veto Summary: Vetoes the section that de-codified the State Energy Program statute.