S-234                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 3034

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Senators Goltz, Conner, Warnke, McManus, Stratton and Barr

Prefiled with Secretary of the Senate 1/7/85.  Read first time 1/15/85 and referred to Committee on Governmental Operations.

AN  ACT Relating to the establishment and activities of the Washington State-Pacific Rim foundation; adding a new section to chapter 41.06 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; making an appropriation; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     It is the intent of the legislature to promote Washington state's interests through greater educational and cultural understanding and through stronger commercial ties with countries throughout the Pacific rim and other parts of the world.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     There is hereby created the Washington state-Pacific rim foundation which shall have a twenty-five member board of directors consisting of the secretary of state, the lieutenant governor, the state treasurer, one teaching faculty member from each of the Washington state four-year colleges and universities, one college administrator, and twelve citizens active in agriculture, arts and letters, commerce, or tourism appointed by the governor.  The remaining four members shall be one member from the majority and minority caucuses of the senate chosen by the president of the senate and one member from the majority and minority caucuses of the house of representatives chosen by the speaker of the house.

          Thirteen of the initial members shall  be appointed for four-year terms and twelve shall be appointed for two-year terms.  Members thereafter shall be appointed for four-year terms.  Members shall serve until their terms expire or until a successor has been appointed.  Any vacancies shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.  Members who are legislators, state officials, or public sector employees are not eligible to serve as such after their terms of office or employment have expired.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The first meeting of the foundation may be convened at the call of the governor.  Other meetings may be convened at the call of the chairperson or by a majority of the foundation's members.  The foundation shall elect a chairperson from among its citizen members.

          Members of the foundation shall serve without compensation. Nonlegislative members of the foundation shall be reimbursed for their travel and per diem expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.  Legislative members shall be reimbursed in accordance with RCW 44.04.120.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The Washington state-Pacific rim foundation shall:

          (1) Assist with the  development of exchange programs for college and university students;

          (2) Assist with the development of exchange programs for college and university faculty;

          (3) Assist with academic program development at all educational levels;

          (4) Develop exchange programs in arts and letters, and sports;

          (5) Assist trade missions between Washington state and countries with which Washington has commercial interests; and

          (6) Make suggestions to the legislature and other agencies of state government for the furtherance of good relationships between the state of Washington and Pacific rim nations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     The foundation may employ staff as necessary to assist in carrying out its responsibilities under this chapter.  The foundation may accept financial contributions, gifts, and grants upon such terms as the foundation deems proper.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.  A new section is added to chapter 41.06 RCW to read as follows:

          This chapter does not apply to any position in or employee of the Washington state-Pacific rim foundation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.     Sections 1 through 5 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-Pacific rim foundation for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9.     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 July 1, 1985.