H-1064              _______________________________________________

 

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 501

                        _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Schoon, Kremen, van Dyke, B. Williams, Crane, Nealey, Winsley, Smitherman, Bond, Patrick, May, Isaacson, L. Smith, Taylor, Dobbs, Thomas, Doty, Silver, Walker and Van Luven

 

 

Read first time 2/6/85 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

 

 


AN ACT Relating to international trade; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1.     It is the intent of the legislature:

          (1) To develop and implement consistent, appropriate, long-term state and regional trade goals and the policies to achieve them;

          (2) To promote consistent, nonpolitical, private sector advice to the governor and the legislature on long-term international trade policy;

          (3) To monitor Washington state's competitive status regarding taxation, transportation, education, and other public policies related to international trade; and

          (4) To promote the state's objectives of job creation and retention, continued and accelerated growth of the state's economy, and the enhanced well-being of the state's citizens and commerce.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.     (1) There is established the Washington state advisory council on international trade and development.  The purpose of the council is to marshal the collective expertise of its members in order to assist state administrators in promoting economic growth and in developing a long-term international trade policy.  The council's primary objective is to submit recommendations to the governor and legislature regarding coordination of international trade activities, product promotion, elimination of trade barriers, and regarding Washington's relative competitiveness and productivity as it relates to international trade.  As used in this chapter, "council" means the Washington state advisory council on international trade and development.

          (2) The council shall consist of twenty-four voting members.

          (3) Nineteen council members shall be representative of the following groups or fields:  Ports; businesses involved in international trade with fewer than fifty employees; businesses involved in international trade with more than fifty employees; corporate strategic planning; international banking; labor; agricultural commodity groups; customhouse brokering and freight forwarding; rail, steamship and trucking transportation firms; higher education; and international legal services.  In making these appointments, the governor, president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall consult with each other.  The governor shall appoint council members from a list of candidates compiled by the legislature.

          (4) The remaining five members of the council shall include:

          (a) Two members of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.  One member shall be appointed from each caucus;

          (b) Two members of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.  One member shall be appointed from each caucus; and

          (c) The lieutenant governor.

          (5) Members of the council shall be reimbursed for travel expenses pursuant to RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.  Legislative members shall be reimbursed pursuant to RCW 44.04.120.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.     (1) The council chairperson shall be appointed by the governor and will be one of the nineteen private citizen members.  The lieutenant governor is the ex officio vice-chairperson.

          (2) Council members shall serve a three-year term.

          (3) It is the intent of the legislature to create an agency which will be consistent over time and protected from changes in the state's political leadership.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4.     The council has the following powers and duties:

          (1) To provide substantive international trade counsel to the governor and the legislature at least every December 1st and July 1st, and more often if necessary;

          (2) To identify for the governor and legislature current long-term international trade issues which may require attention by the state;

          (3) To advise on the development and implementation of consistent, appropriate, long-term state and regional trade goals and the policies to achieve them;

          (4) To advise on specific coordination issues among state agencies related to international trade;

          (5) To advise on regional, federal, and international trade policies and issues, and meet on a regular, semiannual basis with the congressional delegation;

          (6) To advise on how the state could appropriately assist small, medium size, and emerging businesses develop international markets; and

          (7) To work, in support of the governor and legislature, with Washington's congressional delegation on trade activities.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5.     (1) The council may utilize legislative and executive staff as it deems necessary and may employ other staff if additional expertise is required.  The council may conduct such studies as it deems necessary to carry out its purposes.

          (2) While the council is an independent agency, all agencies and departments shall provide such assistance as the council may reasonably request.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6.     The legislature will review the council's mandate, objectives, and performance in June 1986.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7.     Sections 1 through 6 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8.     There is appropriated from the general fund to the Washington state advisory council on international trade and development for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, the sum of two hundred thirty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes of this act.

 

          NEW SECTION.  Sec. 9.     Sections 1 through 6 of this act shall expire and the council shall terminate on June 30, 1989, unless extended by legislation.