HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2867

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                Trade & Economic Development

Title:  An act relating to economic development.

Brief Description:  Modifying certain functions and duties of the joint legislative committee on economic development.

Sponsors:  Representative Van Luven.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Trade & Economic Development:  1/31/96, 2/1/96 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Van Luven, Chairman; Radcliff, Vice Chairman; D. Schmidt, Vice Chairman; Sheldon, Ranking Minority Member; Veloria, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Ballasiotes; Hatfield; Hickel; Mason; Sherstad; Skinner and Valle.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  The Legislative Committee on Economic Development was established in 1985.  The committee consists of six members of the Senate and six members of the House of Representatives with the Lieutenant Governor as the chair.  The legislative members are appointed and confirmed by their respective legislative bodies.

The committee is authorized to establish advisory committees and subcommittees.  The committee is authorized to review economic development issues with a special emphasis on international trade, tourism, investment, and industrial development.

The committee's duties include (1) assisting the Legislature in developing comprehensive and consistent economic development policies; (2) evaluating the state's economic development policies, laws, and programs; (3) determining the economic impact of international trade, tourism, and investment on the state's economy; (4) assessing the impact of federal, regional, and state cooperation in economic development policies; and (5) developing and evaluating legislative proposals concerning economic development.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislative Committee on Economic Development is renamed the Joint Legislative Committee on Economic Development (joint committee).

The Lieutenant Governor is removed from joint committee membership.  The chair of the joint committee alternates every year between the chairs of the appropriate committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.  The initial chair is from the House of Representatives.  The term of the chair is one year.

The joint committee's study and review of economic development issues is expanded to include work force training and education, industrial modernization, tourism, international trade, investment, and entrepreneurial development.  The joint committee is to consider the economic impact of various business or industrial sectors upon the state's economy.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  Trade is an important element of the state's economy.  The changes will make the committee operate efficiently and work toward addressing important issues.  The work of the committee can assist the Legislature on trade and economic development issues.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Van Luven, sponsor (Pro); and Jeff Robinson, Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (Pro).