AN ACT Relating to the legislative committee on economic development; adding new sections to chapter 43.131 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 44 RCW; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. Economic development and in particular international trade, tourism, and investment have become increasingly important to Washington, affecting the state's employment, revenues, and general economic well-being. Additionally, economic trends are rapidly changing and the international marketplace has become increasingly competitive as states and countries seek to improve and safeguard their own economic well-being. The purpose of the legislative committee on economic development is to provide responsive and consistent involvement by the legislature in economic development to maintain a healthy state economy and to provide employment opportunities to Washington residents.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. There is created a legislative committee on economic development which shall consist of six senators and six representatives from the legislature and the lieutenant governor who shall serve as chairperson. The senate members of the committee shall be appointed by the president of the senate and the house members of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker of the house. Not more than three members from each house shall be from the same political party. A list of appointees shall be submitted before the close of each regular legislative session during an odd-numbered year or any successive special session convened by the governor or the legislature prior to the close of such regular session or successive special session(s) for confirmation of senate members, by the senate, and house members, by the house. Vacancies occurring shall be filled by the appointing authority.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The committee shall by majority vote establish subcommittees and advisory committees, elect a vice-chairperson from among their members, and prescribe rules of procedure for itself, its subcommittees, and advisory committees which are consistent with this chapter. The committee shall at a minimum establish a subcommittee on international trade and a subcommittee on industrial development.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The committee or its subcommittees are authorized to study and review economic development issues with special emphasis on international trade, tourism, investment, and industrial development, and to assist the legislature in developing a comprehensive and consistent economic development policy. The issues under review by the committee shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Evaluating existing state policies, laws, and programs which promote or affect economic development with special emphasis on those concerning international trade, tourism, and investment and determine their cost-effectiveness and level of cooperation with other public and private agencies.

(2) Monitoring economic trends, and developing for review by the legislature such appropriate state responses as may be deemed effective and appropriate.

(3) Monitoring economic development policies and programs of other states and nations and evaluating their effectiveness.

(4) Determining the economic impact of international trade, tourism, and investment upon the state's economy.

(5) Assessing the need for and effect of federal, regional, and state cooperation in economic development policies and programs.

(6) Developing and evaluating legislative proposals concerning the issues specified in this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The committee shall receive the necessary staff support from both the senate and house staff resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The members of the committee shall serve without additional compensation, but shall be reimbursed for their travel expenses, in accordance with RCW 44.04.120, incurred while attending sessions of the committee or meetings of any subcommittee of the committee, while engaged on other committee business authorized by the committee, and while going to and coming from committee sessions or committee meetings.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. All expenses incurred by the committee, its subcommittees and advisory committees, including salaries and expenses of employees, shall be paid upon voucher forms as provided by the auditor and signed by the chairperson or vice chairperson of the committee and attested by the secretary of the committee, and the authority of the chairperson and secretary to sign vouchers shall continue until their successors are selected after each ensuing session of the legislature. Vouchers may be drawn on funds appropriated generally by the legislature for legislative expenses or upon any special appropriation which may be provided by the legislature for the expenses of the committee or both.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The committee shall cooperate, act, and function with legislative committees and with the councils or committees of other states similar to this committee and with other interstate research organizations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. If any section, subsection, paragraph or provision of this chapter is held invalid by any court for any reason, such invalidity shall not in any way affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 43.131 RCW to read as follows:

The legislative committee on economic development and its powers and duties shall be terminated on June 30, 1989, as provided in section 11 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 43.131 RCW to read as follows:

The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed, effective June 30, 1990:

(1) Section 1 of this act and RCW 44.--.---;

(2) Section 2 of this act and RCW 44.--.---;

(3) Section 3 of this act and RCW 44.--.---;

(4) Section 4 of this act and RCW 44.--.---;

(5) Section 5 of this act and RCW 44.--.---;

(6) Section 6 of this act and RCW 44.--.---;

(7) Section 7 of this act and RCW 44.--.---;

(8) Section 8 of this act and RCW 44.--.---; and

(9) Section 9 of this act and RCW 44.--.---.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. Sections 1 through 9 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 44 RCW.