SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                           SSB 5699

 

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 9, 1993

 

 

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

 

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5699 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:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

 

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1993; February 25, 1993

 

 

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 the 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 the 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 the 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.

 

Appropriation:  none

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  none requested

 

TESTIMONY FOR:

 

This legislation would allow governors or governors' designees from participating states to sit on the delegate council and executive council of PNWER.  This would strengthen PNWER by providing formal representation of the executive branch on the governing bodies of the PNWER.

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  Senator Alan Bluechel, prime sponsor (pro)