S-0997.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5706
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Senators Pelz, Fraser, Hale, Deccio, Winsley and Rasmussen
Read first time 02/01/95. Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce & Trade.
AN ACT Relating to international trade; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:
(a) The expansion of international trade is vital to the overall growth of Washington's economy;
(b) On a per capita basis, Washington state is the most international trade dependent state in the nation;
(c) The north american free trade agreement (NAFTA) and the general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) highlight the increased importance of international trade opportunities to the United States and the state of Washington;
(d) The passage of NAFTA and GATT will have a major impact on the state's agriculture, aerospace, computer software, and textiles and apparel sectors;
(e) There is a need to strengthen and coordinate the state's activities in promoting and developing its agricultural, manufacturing, and service industries overseas, especially for small and medium-sized businesses, and minority and women-owned business enterprises; and
(f) The importance of having a coherent vision for advancing Washington state's interest in the global economy has rarely been so consequential as it is now.
(2) The legislature declares that the purpose of the office of the Washington state trade representative is to strengthen and expand the state's activities in marketing its goods and services overseas.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The office of the Washington state trade representative is created under the office of the governor. The office shall serve as the state's official liaison with foreign governments on trade matters.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The executive and administrative head of the office of the Washington state trade representative shall be the governor's special trade representative. The governor's special trade representative shall be appointed by the governor with consent of the senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the governor. The governor's special trade representative shall be paid a salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040.
(2) The governor's special trade representative shall supervise and administer the activities of the office of the Washington state trade representative and shall advise the governor and legislature with respect to trade matters affecting the state.
(3) The governor's special trade representative may hire such personnel as may be necessary for the general administration of the office. To the extent permitted by law, state agencies may temporarily assign staff to the office of the Washington state trade representative to assist in carrying out the office's duties and responsibilities under this chapter.
(4) The governor's special trade representative is authorized to:
(a) Consult with the department of agriculture and the various agricultural commissions, created in Title 15 RCW, on the promotion of Washington agricultural commodities overseas;
(b) Consult with the department of community, trade, and economic development on the promotion of Washington goods and services overseas;
(c) Establish such advisory or coordinating groups as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the office of the Washington state trade representative.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 2 and 3 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.
--- END ---