SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1748

          AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, APRIL 5, 1991

Brief Description:  Preventing termination of the small business export finance assistance center.

SPONSORS:Representatives Ludwig, Cantwell, Forner, Moyer, Roland, Kremen, Rasmussen, Betrozoff, Ferguson, Wineberry, Miller, Bowman and Sheldon.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Matson, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, McCaslin, McDonald, McMullen, Moore, Murray, and Skratek. 

Staff:  Patrick Woods (786-7430)

Hearing Dates:April 2, 1991; April 5, 1991

BACKGROUND:

The Small Business Export Finance Assistance Center was established in 1983.  The center is authorized to assist small and medium-sized businesses in accessing export markets for their goods and to provide information and assistance about export opportunities and financing alternatives.  The center may not use state funds to make or guarantee loans, nor is the state liable for any debts of the center.

The center is a nonprofit organization governed by a 17-member board of directors, appointed by the Governor, with a president employed by the board.  The center was scheduled for termination under the sunset process in June of 1990, with a repeal of its statute in June of 1991.  The Legislative Budget Committee, under the sunset process, conducted a performance audit of the center during 1989-1990.  The committee recommended that the center be reauthorized without modifications, and pursue expanding its services by participating in the city/state agency cooperation program of the United States Export/Import Bank (EXIMBANK).  The center signed a contract with the EXIMBANK to provide such services in January of 1990.

If not reauthorized by the 1991 Legislature, the Small Business Export Finance Assistance Center will cease to exist on June 30, 1991.

SUMMARY:

The Small Business Export Finance Assistance Center is reauthorized without modifications and removed from the sunset process.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill is necessary to prevent the Small Business Export Assistance Center from terminating on June 30, 1991.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  T.K. Bentler, Longshoremen/Inland Boatmen's Union; Ken Keach, Small Business Export Finance Assistance Center