2867.E [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to economic development; amending RCW 44.52.010, 44.52.020, 44.52.030, and 44.52.070; and adding a new section to chapter 44.52 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 44.52.010 and 1985 c 467 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

(((1) Economic development and in particular international trade, tourism, and investment have become increasingly important to Washington, affecting the state's employment, revenues, and general economic well-being. Additionally, economic trends are rapidly changing and the international marketplace has become increasingly competitive as states and countries seek to improve and safeguard their own economic well-being. The purpose of the legislative committee on economic development is to provide responsive and consistent involvement by the legislature in economic development to maintain a healthy state economy and to provide employment opportunities to Washington residents.

(2) There is created a legislative committee on economic development which shall consist of six senators and six representatives from the legislature and the lieutenant governor who shall serve as chairperson. The senate members of the committee shall be appointed by the president of the senate and the house members of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker of the house. Not more than three members from each house shall be from the same political party. A list of appointees shall be submitted before the close of each regular legislative session during an odd-numbered year or any successive special session convened by the governor or the legislature prior to the close of such regular session or successive special session(s) for confirmation of senate members, by the senate, and house members, by the house. Vacancies occurring shall be filled by the appointing authority.)) The legislature recognizes the need to direct attention of state government to the unique economic challenges of the state of Washington. Economic development efforts, which include work force training and education, family wage job creation and retention, industrial modernization, tourism, international trade, and business assistance, have become increasingly important to state efforts to encourage employment growth, increased state revenues, and general economic well-being. Economic trends are rapidly changing and markets have become increasingly competitive as states and countries seek to improve and safeguard their own economic well-being. The purpose of the joint legislative committee on economic development is to provide responsive and consistent involvement by the legislature in economic development to maintain a healthy state economy and to provide employment opportunities to Washington residents.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 44.52 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is created the joint legislative committee on economic development which shall consist of twelve members of the legislature selected as follows:

(a) Six members from the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, three of whom must be members of the majority party and three of whom must be members of the minority party.

(b) Six members from the senate appointed by the president of the senate, three of whom must be members of the majority party and three of whom must be members of the minority party.

(2) Members must be appointed prior to the close of each regular session of the legislature for confirmation of senate members, by the senate, and house of representatives members, by the house of representatives. Vacancies occurring shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(3) The chair of the house of representatives trade and economic development committee and the senate labor, commerce and trade committee shall alternately serve as chairs for one-year terms. The chair of the house of representatives committee shall serve as the initial chair. The chair may designate another member to serve as chair in his or her absence.

Sec. 3. RCW 44.52.020 and 1985 c 467 s 18 are each amended to read as follows:

The committee shall by majority vote establish subcommittees, and prescribe rules of procedure for itself and its subcommittees which are consistent with this chapter. ((~~The committee shall at a minimum establish a subcommittee on international trade and a subcommittee on industrial development.~~)) The committee shall be convened within sixty days of the end of the regular legislative session to establish its work plan and meeting dates for the year.

Sec. 4. RCW 44.52.030 and 1985 c 467 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:

The committee or its subcommittees are authorized to study and review economic development issues ((~~with special emphasis on international trade, tourism, investment, and industrial development~~)), including work force training and education, family wage job creation and retention, industrial modernization, tourism, international trade, investment, and entrepreneurial development, and to assist the legislature in developing a comprehensive and consistent economic development policy. The issues under review by the committee shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Evaluating existing state policies, laws, and programs which promote or affect economic development with special emphasis on those concerning international trade, tourism, and investment and determine their cost-effectiveness and level of cooperation with other public and private agencies.

(2) Monitoring economic trends, and developing for review by the legislature such appropriate state responses as may be deemed effective and appropriate.

(3) Monitoring economic development policies and programs of other states and nations and evaluating their effectiveness.

(4) Determining the economic impact of ((~~international trade, tourism, and investment~~)) various business or industrial sectors upon the state's economy.

(5) Assessing the need for and effect of federal, regional, and state cooperation in economic development policies and programs.

(6) Developing and evaluating legislative proposals concerning the issues specified in this section.

Sec. 5. RCW 44.52.070 and 1985 c 467 s 23 are each amended to read as follows:

The committee shall cooperate, act, and function with legislative committees, executive agencies, and with the councils or committees of other states similar to this committee and with other interstate research or policy organizations.