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

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The department of trade and economic development and the department of agriculture, in consultation with other state-funded international trade-related programs, shall during 1988, develop comprehensive strategies and recommendations to coordinate the various sectors of the international trade and investment community. The recommendation shall address: Development of a specific plan for coordinating state programs; establishment of comprehensive performance indicators to quantify the impact of trade programs; reviewing international trade programs and strategies in other states as possible models for Washington; determining the impact that international trade has on imports as well as exports, to determine the effect imports have on the creation or loss of jobs, tax revenues, and competition with Washington products; the most effective manner of developing a comprehensive trade assistance network; and the most effective manner of structuring state-funded trade and investment programs to ensure the most efficient use of the state's resources. The recommendation may be used to assist the legislature in reviewing funding proposals during the 1989 legislative session.

(2) The departments shall report to the appropriate house of representatives and senate standing committees with their recommendation by December 1, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. 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 3 of this act is enacted in order to meet this need.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The department of trade 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 shall, 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 by December 1, 1989, 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. 4. The department may contract out the activities of the trade and investment information network.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 2 through 4 of this act are each added to chapter 43.31 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the surplus funds in the state trade fair fund, as provided in RCW 43.31.832, to the department of trade and economic development for the purposes of sections 2 through 4 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. 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.