HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2188

             As Reported By House Committee On:

            Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Title:  An act relating to international trade through Washington ports.

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to international trade through Washington ports.

Sponsors:  Representatives Kremen, Chandler, Wineberry, Linville, Schoesler, Quall, Forner, Wood, Campbell and Rayburn.

Brief History:

Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, January 24, 1994, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 14 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Schoesler, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Morris; Quall; Sheldon; Springer; Valle; and Wood.

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786-7092).

Background:  In 1989 the Legislature enacted legislation to authorize the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) to create a federation of Washington ports in order to increase cooperation and coordination between the ports and thereby promote international trade and tourism.  The Legislature also required the WPPA to submit annual reports to the Legislature describing its efforts to establish the federation.  The Federation of Washington Ports is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 1994, unless re-authorized by the Legislature. 

The Legislative Budget Committee recommended that the federation be allowed to continue, and that the annual report prepared by the Washington Public Ports Association on federation activities be eliminated.

Port districts are authorized to establish export trading companies to enhance international trade.  The authorization to form export trading companies expires on June 30, 1994, unless re-authorized by the Legislature.

Summary of Bill:  The provisions which would have allowed the Federation of Washington Ports to sunset are repealed.  The Washington Public Ports Association is no longer required to submit annual reports pertaining to the establishment of the Federation of Washington Ports.  The provisions that would have deleted the authority for port districts to establish export trading companies are repealed.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This enables small and medium-sized businesses to get assistance for exporting.  This encourages more foreign investment, creates jobs, and strengthens the tax base.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Rep. Pete Kremen, prime sponsor (pro); Scott Taylor, Washington Public Ports Association (pro); Rebecca Baerveldt, Tri-Ports Export Services (pro); and Robert Hilpert, Director of Pacific Rim Imports/Exports (pro).