HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 ESSB 5911

             As Reported By House Committee On:

            Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Title:  An act relating to economic development.

Brief Description:  Promoting economic development.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Cantu, Skratek, Bluechel and Winsley).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, April 1, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Forner, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Morris; Quall; Schoesler; Springer; Valle; and Wood.

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

Background:  The Pacific Northwest Export Assistance Project (PNEAP), administered by the Small Business Export Finance Assistance Center, was created by the Legislature in 1991 as part of the omnibus timber bill.  At least 50 percent of PNEAP's new clients each year must be from timber impact areas, and 90 percent should be businesses with annual gross revenues of less than $5 million.  PNEAP provides extensive export assistance to a limited number of businesses.

Summary of Bill:  Fifty percent of the Pacific Northwest Export Assistance Project should involve businesses with annual gross revenues of less than $5 million, rather than 90 percent.

The Small Business Export Finance Assistance Center is authorized to provide services, if requested, to other Pacific Northwest states and provinces.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  PNEAP is given the flexibility to assist larger businesses and to assist other states and provinces.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Emilio Cantu, prime sponsor (pro).