2879-S.E AMS FIET S6965.1
ESHB 2879 - S COMM AMD
By Committee on Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1. The legislature finds that manufacturing jobs are important to all regions of Washington because of their above-average wages and strong benefits. Manufacturing industries employ more than two hundred eighty-seven thousand people in Washington. Manufacturers help drive Washington's economy, producing more than fifty-eight billion dollars in goods annually and accounting for nearly twelve percent of the gross state product. More than eighty percent of Washington exports are manufactured goods. The legislature finds that due to a complex variety of factors from global competition, automation, regulatory factors, and productivity gains, this sector of the economy has had output growth without experiencing the desired employment growth during this cycle of economic growth for the country and our state. The legislature intends to investigate these factors and discuss with private sector partners the full spectrum of policy levers that could improve and sustain long-term job growth and regulatory certainty for this critical sector of our economy. Therefore, the legislature intends that the department of commerce provide a report, in consultation with in-state manufacturing partners.
NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. (1) To the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, the department of commerce must convene an advisory committee and develop a report and recommendations to the legislature on public policies that may help foster growth of manufacturing industries and jobs.
(2)(a) To the extent practicable, the advisory committee must include members nominated by manufacturing associations representing:
(i) Aerospace;
(ii) Food;
(iii) Beverages;
(iv) Wood products;
(v) Primary metal;
(vi) Machinery;
(vii) Computer and electronic products;
(viii) Furniture and related products;
(ix) Transportation equipment;
(x) Chemical;
(xi) Plastics and rubber products;
(xii) Paper products;
(xiii) Printing and related support activities;
(xiv) Maritime; and
(xv) Clean energy.
(b) The department of commerce will work with specified manufacturing associations to ensure that each region of the state is represented on the advisory committee.
(c) In developing the report, the department of commerce will consult with representatives from the association of Washington businesses, the manufacturing extension partnership at the national institute of standards and technology, and the Washington state centers of excellence.
(3) The department of commerce must convene at least two meetings of the advisory committee before October 31, 2020, and provide a report to the legislature on these meetings by December 1, 2020. The report must consider infrastructure, workforce development resources, and regulatory conditions that support the growth and sustainability of the manufacturing sector. The department of commerce may consolidate and present results from previous studies and task force recommendations including, but not limited to, studies produced by the state's manufacturing extension partnership, the future of work task force, and existing state strategies for sector-based economic development.
(4) This section expires June 30, 2021."
ESHB 2879 - S COMM AMD
By Committee on Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade
On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "manufacturing;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "creating new sections; and providing an expiration date."
EFFECT: Characterizes the final deliverable as a report, rather than a study. Directs the Department of Commerce to consult with the Association of Washington Businesses, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Washington State Centers of Excellence.
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