SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5430

               AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 10, 1993

Brief Description:  Commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of Washington's sister‑state relationship with Hyogo prefecture.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Bluechel, Pelz, Prentice, Moore, Prince, Moyer, Skratek and Deccio)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5430 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Skratek, Chairman; Sheldon, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Deccio, Erwin, M. Rasmussen, and Williams.

Staff:  Midori Okazaki (786‑7444)

Hearing Dates: February 10, 1993; February 18, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The state of Washington entered into a sister-state relationship with Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, on October 22, 1963.  Since that time the two states have developed extensive cultural, educational and economic ties.  The Hyogo government undertook significant activity to celebrate previous anniversaries of this relationship and is currently planning a series of major events to commemorate the 30th anniversary.

SUMMARY:

An appropriation is made for the current biennium to plan for events to commemorate the anniversary of this relationship and to solicit additional funds from the private sector.  Any remaining funds are reappropriated.

Appropriation:  $45,000

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

The sister state relationship has provided significant and important trade and job opportunities with not only Hyogo but with all of Japan, currently Washington's largest trading partner.

Hyogo Prefecture has always budgeted for events commemorating the anniversaries of the sister state relationship and undertaken significant activity, and Washington should reciprocate.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO: Senator Karen Fraser, prime sponsor; Lt. Governor Joel Pritchard; Secretary of State Ralph Munro; Representative Paull Shin; Brent Heinemann, Office of International Relations and Protocol; Wayne Gentry; Derek Valley, State Capitol Museum; Susan Mochizuki, Japan-America Society; Bob Kapp, Washington Council for International Trade