FINAL BILL REPORT

                           SSB 5699

                          C 108 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Changing the organizational structure of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region.

SPONSORS: Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Bluechel, Snyder, Cantu, Gaspard, Jesernig, Skratek, Erwin and M. Rasmussen; by request of Governor Lowry)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

BACKGROUND:

The Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) was established by the Legislature in 1991.  Legislative leaders from the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon and the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta currently participate in PNWER. 

PNWER seeks to develop and establish policies that promote greater regional collaboration among the seven entities; enhance the overall competitiveness of the region in international and domestic markets; increase the economic well-being of all citizens in the region; and improve the quality of life of the citizens of the Pacific Northwest.

The current organizational structure of PNWER consists of:  a delegate council, consisting of four legislators from each participating state and four representatives of each participating province; and an executive committee consisting of one legislator from each participating state and/or province who is a member of the delegate council.

SUMMARY:

The organizational structure of PNWER is modified.  The delegate council is expanded to include the governor or governor's designee from each participating state and the premier or premier's designee from each participating province.  The executive committee is also expanded to include four of the seven governors or premiers or their designees who are members of the delegate council.

The duties of the executive committee are expanded to include: examining the availability of status as a nonprofit organization under U.S. and Canadian laws and, if appropriate, applying for such status for the PNWER organization.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    49   0

House     98   0

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993