H-1406              _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 739

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives Vekich, Sayan and P. King

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

AN ACT Relating to international trade and investment; adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that in order to promote international trade and investment, it is vital that Washington state have a comprehensive information network that can serve information requests of potential investors or trading partners and provide data on potential markets to state businesses.  Additionally, information on trends in trade and investment is of considerable assistance to the legislature in developing and evaluating state trade policies and programs.  Section 2 of this act is enacted in order to meet this need.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     (1) The department of commerce and economic development shall establish an international trade and investment information program.  The program shall act as a centralized location for the assimilation and distribution of trade and investment information, including:

          (a) International trade leads and potential trade opportunities which may assist Washington businesses in the export of their products and services;

          (b) International investment leads and potential opportunities which may assist in attracting investments to Washington state;

          (c) A listing of trade-related organizations in Washington state providing background information on their location, services, and calendar of events.  The list shall be developed and distributed in cooperation with participating organizations;

          (d) A listing of businesses in Washington state involved in international trade and of businesses that have the potential to engage in international trade with background information on their products and services;

          (e) A listing of international trade shows and opportunities for participation by Washington state businesses;

          (f) Information on trade tariffs, quotas, and other trade restrictions encountered by Washington products in major international markets;

          (g) Export and import statistics which will assist the private and public sector in identifying economic trends and the cost-effectiveness of state trade and investment programs; and

          (h) A state-wide industrial site inventory to assist in the location of businesses throughout the state including but not limited to information on site costs, land use requirements, proximity to labor markets, and the availability of transportation and utilities.  The department of ecology and department of community development will, on request, assist the department in developing the industrial site inventory.

          (2) State and local government agencies involved in international trade or investment shall on request assist the department in compiling and distributing the information outlined in this section.

          (3) The department shall actively promote the distribution and use of the information listed in this section.  The director shall report to the legislature annually by December 1, on the program's activities, the effectiveness of the program in promoting international trade and investment, and legislative recommendations concerning the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 43.31 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     To carry out this act, the sum of forty-nine thousand five hundred dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated to the department of commerce and economic development from the general fund for the biennium ending June 30, 1987.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.