FINAL BILL REPORT

E2SHB 2580

C 127 L 14

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Fostering economic resilience and development in Washington by supporting the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Information Technology (originally sponsored by Representatives Tarleton, Haler, Fey, Wylie, Seaquist, Pollet, Ryu and Carlyle).

House Committee on Technology & Economic Development

House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government & Information Technology

Senate Committee on Trade & Economic Development

Background:

Washington State is the home of an established maritime industry. The industry includes several core sectors, including, for example, passenger water transportation, ship and boat building, maintenance and repair, maritime logistics and shipping, fishing and seafood processing, and military and federal operations.

Summary:

The Joint Legislative Task Force on the Economic Resilience of Maritime and Manufacturing in Washington (Task Force) is created. The Task Force is composed of 13 members as follows:

• six members from the House of Representatives, including three from each caucus appointed by the Speaker of the House;

• six members from the Senate, including three from each caucus appointed by the President of the Senate; and

• one member representing the Department of Commerce appointed by the Governor.

The legislative members of the Task Force must select co-chairs from among the membership, one from the House of Representatives and one from the Senate. The co-chairs must appoint an advisory committee to provide technical information and assistance to the Task Force. The advisory committee membership must include representatives of maritime terminal operators, manufacturing, maritime business, local industrial councils, local labor trades councils, and chambers of commerce. In addition to the advisory committee, the Task Force must also consult with specified state agencies, local government interests, and private sector interests.

The Task Force is required to achieve the following objectives:

• identify the maritime and manufacturing sectors of economic significance to the state;

• identify and assess the critical public infrastructure that supports and sustains the maritime and manufacturing sectors;

• identify the barriers to maintaining and expanding the maritime and manufacturing sectors;

• identify and assess the educational resources and support services available to local governments with respect to supporting and sustaining the development of maritime and manufacturing sectors;

• promote regulatory consistency and certainty in the areas of urban planning, land use permitting, and business development in a manner that encourages maritime and manufacturing industries in urban areas;

• encourage cooperation between the public and private sectors to foster economic growth;

• explore public-private sector collaborations that draw on Washington State University research centers and institutes with expertise on maritime interoperability and critical infrastructure resilience;

• identify aspects of state policy that have an impact on fostering resilience and growth in maritime manufacturing sectors, such as storm water policy and other food fish related issues; and

• maximize the opportunities for employment in the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors in Washington.

The Task Force must develop recommendations that include short-term and long-term action plans for the Legislature to support and sustain the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors. The Task Force must submit a work plan by December 1, 2014, and final findings and recommendations by November 1, 2015, to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature.

Votes on Final Passage: