SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6082

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY

           & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, JANUARY 26, 1994

Brief Description:  Changing provisions relating to the center for international trade in forest products.

SPONSORS: Senators Snyder, Bluechel, Amondson, Skratek, Hargrove, Sheldon, Owen, M. Rasmussen, Oke and Erwin

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6082 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass. 

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

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786‑7428)

Hearing Dates: January 12, 1994; January 26, 1994

BACKGROUND:

The Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR) was established in statute in 1985 with responsibilities for (1) conducting research for expansion of forest-based international trade in manufactured forest products; (2) developing industrial technology to meet international customers' needs; (3) coordinating and disseminating market and technical information; (4) providing graduate education; (5) cooperating with other state and federal agencies; and (6) seeking financial support from private industry and from federal and other government sources.

In response to a 1991 Legislative Budget Committee sunset review, the 1992 Legislature made a number of changes to CINTRAFOR's enabling statute, including placing more emphasis on the provision of research, analysis, and market information of value to secondary manufacturers.  The 1992 Legislature also set a new sunset date of June 30, 1994.

The Legislative Budget Committee conducted another sunset review during 1993 and recommended continuation of CINTRAFOR.  However, the review surfaced concerns that CINTRAFOR was not meeting the legislative intent to focus more closely on secondary manufacturing issues.

SUMMARY:

CINTRAFOR is directed to assist in the development of commercialization support for manufactured products and the development of research and analysis on the quality and availability of wood resources.  The center is to give special emphasis to secondary manufacturing in its work and assist in the development of a wood products manufacturing curriculum.

The center's executive policy board is to have at least 50 percent of its members representing small and medium-sized businesses, a representative of the community and technical colleges and a representative of a wood products manufacturing network or trade association of small and medium sized wood manufacturers.

The center is to report annually on its work and is subject to sunset in 1996.

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is to develop a curriculum in wood product manufacturing and wood technology and make it available in timber impact areas.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

CINTRAFOR's executive policy board is to have at least 50 percent of its business members representing small and medium-sized businesses.

The State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is to develop a competency based technical degree program.

The sunset date is changed from 1996 to 2000.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 11, 1994

TESTIMONY FOR:

CINTRAFOR plays a crucial role in providing the infrastructure and research necessary for the long term success of wood product manufacturers.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  David Thorud, UW; Tom Bristow, Governor's Timber Team Coordinator; Greg Shellberg, Evergreen Partnership; Gus Kostopulos, WoodNet, Dan McConnon, SBCTC