SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5646

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Labor, Commerce & Labor, February 20, 1995

Title:  An act relating to international trade and cultural exchanges.

Brief Description:  Promoting international trade and cultural exchanges.

Sponsors:  Senators Rasmussen, Fraser, Kohl, Fairley, Prince, Wood, Bauer, Hale, Deccio, Johnson, Franklin and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  2/13/95, 2/20/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5646 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Pelz, Chair; Heavey, Vice Chair; Deccio, Franklin, Fraser, Hale and Palmer.

Staff:  Patrick Woods (786-7430)

Background:  In 1990, a study by the House Subcommittee on International Education found that three out of every five university graduates in the state will work in an area directly related to trade.  The subcommittee also found that international activities and programs are increasingly important to the academic mission of educators.

In order to address these findings, the Legislature in 1993 established the Task Force on International Education and Cultural Exchanges, and authorized it to make recommendations on a broad array of issues pertaining to international trade and cultural exchange policies and  programs.

The Task Force, in its 1994 report to the Legislature, recommended that "Washington communities involved in international sister-city, county and port programs encourage the school districts within their jurisdictions to establish sister-school relationships with their counterparts."  In addition, the Task Force requested the Legislature to "direct the Office of Protocol and the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development to provide information and encouragement for the formation and perpetuation of sister-city, county and port relationships.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Legislature finds that international student exchange programs are of critical importance to Washington State businesses and citizens wishing to establish relationships in competitive world markets.  The Legislature encourages cities, counties, and ports to establish sister-school relationships within their already established sister relationships.

The International Education and Exchange Council is created in the Secretary of State's office in order to assist the Governor, Legislature, elected state officials, state and local agencies, educational institutions, businesses and organizations in developing beneficial relationships with the educational institutions and trade organizations of targeted countries.

The council is comprised of state and local officials and members of the business, educational, and trade communities.  The council is authorized to promote cultural exchange and educational opportunities; maintain a data base on cultural exchange opportunities and state residents that have participated in exchange programs; and monitor the implementation of the recommendations from the Task Force on International Education and Cultural Exchange.

The council is a private, nonprofit corporation and may accept gifts and expend funds.

The Secretary of State may develop a pilot project to furnish trading partners with technical assistance, training, and expertise through the voluntary services provided by Washington residents. The volunteers are not employees or officials of the state.  Funding for the project may be provided from federal, state of private funds.

The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, in consultation with other state agencies, is directed to identify up to 15 countries that are of strategic importance to the development of Washington's international trade relations.  The department, in consultation with the Office of International Relations and Protocol, is directed to provide information and assist local governments in maintaining their established sister relationships.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Additional provisions are added encouraging local governments to establish sister-school relationships in addition to their existing international ties.  The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development is directed to assist local governments in maintaining and establishing sister relationships.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 8, 1995.

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

Testimony For:  Washington needs an International Education and Exchange Council to adequately promote effective international relationships.  In addition, Washington has a significant number of individuals who have participated, or would like to participate, in voluntary goodwill projects abroad.  Facilitating and recording such goodwill exchanges may prove mutually beneficial to Washington State and its overseas participants.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Burton Baird, American Cultural Exchange; Ralph Munro, Secretary of State; Frank Brouillet, ICEP; Brian Bosses, Seattle Pacific University.