SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SCR 8402

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Labor, Commerce & Trade, February 22, 1995

Brief Description:  Entering Washington state into a sister state relationship with Taiwan.

Sponsors:  Senators Wojahn, Sellar, Snyder, Newhouse, Gaspard, Fairley, Swecker, Deccio, Palmer, Drew, McDonald, Oke, Sutherland, Winsley and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor, Commerce & Trade:  1/30/95, 2/22/95 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE & TRADE

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8402 be substituted therefor, and the substitute concurrent resolution do pass.

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

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  In 1993, there was more than $7.5 billion in trade between the state of Washington and Taiwan.  Washington has established a trade office in Taipei, and has engaged in numerous exchanges with Taiwan in the fine arts and recreation.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Washington agrees to enter into a sister-state relationship with Taiwan.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute removes the words "Republic of China" and adds language that establishes committees to sustain and enhance cooperation between the two states.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 27, 1995.

Testimony For:  Taiwan is an excellent trading partner.  39 states have sister state relations with Taiwan.

Testimony Against:  The "Republic of China" nomenclature should be removed.  Should the Legislature designate who sister states are without some established criteria for selection?

Testified:  Senator Wojahn (pro); Robert Chen, Taipei Economic Office (pro); Ruby Chow (pro); Gary Grant (pro); Paul Barden (pro); Ralph Munro, Secretary of State (con); Brent Heinaman, State Office of International Relations and Protocol (con).