SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6235

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.

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6235 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Eide and McCaslin.

Background: In 2008 the Legislature established the green Economy Jobs Growth Initiative with a goal of increasing the number of clean energy jobs in the state to 25,000 by 2020. Specific actions related to the green economy were to be carried out by a number of state agencies.

In 2009 the Legislature established the Evergreen Jobs Initiative with a goal of creating 15,000 new green economy jobs by 2020 and other goals related to employment, job training, investment, and exports. Specific actions were to be carried out by a number of state agencies.

The Employment Security Department’s (ESD) 2009 report, Washington State Green Economy Jobs, showed an estimated 47,000 in total direct, private sector green economy employment. Green jobs were reported in 27 industry classifications, including four related to the forest products industry: agriculture and forestry support activities, forestry and logging, wood products manufacturing, and paper manufacturing. The forest products industry as a whole has not been classified as a green industry.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): ESD is to conduct an analysis of forest product industry occupations and employment projections. ESD is also to define the education and skill standards required for current and emerging green occupations in the industry.

For representation on green industry skill panels started by the Workforce Training Board, business representatives are to include forest product companies as well as companies engaged in energy efficiency and renewable energy production, pollution mitigation, green buildings, and green transportation.

The Department of Commerce and the Workforce Training Board are to identify barriers to the growth of green jobs in traditional industries such as the forest products industry.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE & INNOVATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): Provisions directing agencies in various aspects of their work that the forest products industry must be considered a green industry are removed.

ESD is to conduct an analysis of forest product industry occupations and employment projections. ESD is also to define the education and skill standards required for current and emerging green occupations in the industry.

The Department of Commerce and the Workforce Training Board are to identify barriers to the growth of green jobs in traditional industries such as the forest products industry.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: Forests store carbon. Growing trees is green and the infrastructure associated with growing them, processing them, and transporting forest products to market is all green. It is wise to recognize this industry upfront as green. We have some of the best timberland in the world. It is better to keep pulp mills here than have them move overseas. Every bit of pulp is being used in a renewable way. This bill will help keep working forests working. This can help maximize carbon sequestration benefits. Government, business, labor, and the environmental community are all together on the issue of promoting green jobs in the forest products industry.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Hargrove, prime sponsor; Sean O'Sullivan, Western Pulp and Paper Workers; Debora Munguia, WA Forest Protection Assn.; Miguel Perez-Gibson, Climate Solutions; Bill Stauffacher, American Forest and Paper Assn.; Dan McConnon, Dept. of Commerce.