SENATE BILL REPORT

                  EHB 2867

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Labor, Commerce & Trade, February 22, 1996

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:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  2/22/96 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, McDonald and Newhouse.

Staff:  Patrick Woods (786-7430)

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.

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, family wage job creation and retention, 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:  The bill will assist in promoting effective economic development policy.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Pete Butkus, CTED (pro).