HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2006

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                Trade & Economic Development

Title:  An act relating to international trade education.

Brief Description:  Providing for international trade education.

Sponsors:  Representatives Valle, Thompson, Regala, D. Schmidt and Blanton.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Trade & Economic Development:  3/1/95 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Van Luven, Chairman; Radcliff, Vice Chairman; D. Schmidt, Vice Chairman; Sheldon, Ranking Minority Member; Veloria, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Ballasiotes; Hatfield; Mason; Sherstad; Skinner and Valle.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  Washington State's economic future is world trade.  As the most trade dependent state in the nation, advancement in the world marketplace is essential to the economic future of the state.  Washington's businesses would benefit from a comprehensive, continuing program of international trade education.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Washington International Trade Education Consortium (consortium) is created in the office of the Higher Education Coordinating Board.  The consortium works to promote and encourage international trade education at the state's public and private institutions of higher education.

The consortium consists of representatives of businesses and organizations involved in international trade, public and private institutions of higher education, the state Board for Community and Technical Colleges, the Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development.  The consortium's duties include: (1) developing three pilot international trade education projects; (2) distributing information and developing programs on international trade; (3) assessing the needs of businesses for international trade education; (4) developing an international trade education data base; and (5) supporting international trade education programs or courses.

The Washington International Trade Education Endowment Fund is established in the custody of the State Treasurer.  Private donations, other funds, and state-matching funds are deposited into the endowment fund.  Only the earnings from the endowment fund are used to support international trade education.  The principal of the endowment fund may not be used for program activities.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill adds representatives from the state Board for Community and Technical Colleges to the consortium.  The consortium is required to develop three pilot international trade education projects.  The funding is revised to provide $250,000 to support the development of the pilot projects and $750,000 as matching funds in the endowment fund.

Appropriation:  $1 million from the general fund to the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 24, 1995.

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

Testimony For:   Washington's future is international trade.  We are not doing enough to educate people on how to take advantage of the opportunities that are available.  The bill would provide needed assistance to support and expand existing efforts.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  (Pro) Representative Georgette Valle, sponsor; Senator Karen Fraser; Steve Miller, Pierce College; Katherine Riley and Ed Bryant, North Seattle Community College; Raoul Milleur. Bellevue Community College; and Janis Parsley and Roger Dolzin.