2006-S

AN ACT Relating to international trade education; adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; and making appropriations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that international trade is important to the economic future of the state of Washington. The legislature further finds that it is essential that there be a comprehensive program of international trade education at the undergraduate level available to Washington residents. It is the intent of the legislature to encourage the development of international trade education by supporting these efforts at public and private institutions of higher education in the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Board" means the higher education coordinating board.

(2) "Institution of higher education" means a college or university in the state of Washington that is accredited by an accrediting association recognized as such by rule of the board.

(3) "Consortium" means the Washington international trade education consortium.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The Washington international trade education consortium is created in the office of the higher education coordinating board.

(2) The initial membership of the consortium may include, but need not be limited to:

(a) Representatives of the higher education coordinating board;

(b) Representatives of the state board for community and technical colleges;

(d) Representatives of institutions of higher education;

(e) Representatives of the business community who are involved in international trade activities; and

(f) Representatives of organizations dedicated to international trade.

(3) When members leave the consortium, any replacements shall be selected by the board.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. If funds are available, the consortium shall promote and encourage international trade education at the state's public and private institutions of higher education. To meet the objectives of this section, the duties of the consortium may include, but need not be limited to:

(1) Disseminating information and implementing programs on international trade;

(2) Assessing the needs of the state's businesses for international trade education and developing educational programs to meet those needs;

(3) Developing a data base on available training in the area of international trade;

(4) Providing support to an institution of higher education that offers a program or courses in international trade education; and

(5) Undertaking other duties as assigned.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. In addition to the duties in section 4 of this act, the consortium shall develop three international trade education projects on a pilot basis. In selecting educational institutions for the pilot projects, the consortium shall consider geographic distribution.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The Washington international trade education endowment fund is established. The endowment fund shall be administered by the state treasurer. Moneys received from private donations, appropriations by the legislature that are matched on an equal basis with private cash donations, and funds received from any other source may be deposited into the endowment fund. At the request of the board, the treasurer shall release earnings from the endowment fund to the board for purposes of this chapter. No appropriation is required for expenditures from the endowment fund. The principal of the endowment fund shall not be invaded.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The board may request that the state treasurer deposit state matching funds into the Washington international trade education endowment fund when the board can match the state funds with an equal amount of private cash donations, including conditional gifts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, from the general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the purposes of section 5 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The sum of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, from the general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the purposes of section 7 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. Sections 1 through 7 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.