SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6148

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

              Commerce & Labor, January 19, 1998

Title:  An act relating to termination of the center for international trade in forest products.

Brief Description:  Delaying termination of the center for international trade in forest products.

Sponsors:  Senators Schow, Snyder, Horn, Fraser and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Commerce & Labor:  1/15/98, 1/19/98 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Schow, Chair; Horn, Vice Chair; Franklin, Fraser and Heavey.

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background:  The Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR) was established in statute in 1985.  Its initial statutory responsibilities included conducting research, developing industrial technology, coordinating information, and providing graduate education in order to expand forest-based international trade.

After a 1991 sunset review, the Legislature extended CINTRAFOR's sunset to 1994 and changed its enabling statute, placing more emphasis on the provision of research, analysis, and market information of value to secondary manufacturers.

A 1993 review of CINTRAFOR raised concerns about its meeting legislative intent to focus more closely on secondary manufacturing.  The Legislature responded in 1994 by directing CINTRAFOR to give special emphasis to secondary manufacturing in its work and assist in the development of a wood products manufacturing curriculum.  The center was also directed to assist in the development of commercialization support for manufactured products and the development of research and analysis on the quality and availability of wood resources. CINTRAFOR's sunset date was extended to 2001.

CINTRAFOR currently has an annual budget of approximately $570,000 and receives state support of $103,000 per year.

Summary of Bill:  CINTRAFOR's termination is extended from the year 2000 to 2006 and repeal of its statutory authority is extended from 2001 to 2007.  This has the effect of deferring sunset review of CINTRAFOR from 1999 until the year 2005.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  CINTRAFOR was founded to support the efforts of the private sector and government to put Washington forest products in overseas markets.  There has been a tremendous growth in the export of secondary wood products.  CINTRAFOR just had a university review that was favorable.  CINTRAFOR would like the sunset process to be postponed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  David Thorud, College of Forest Resources, UW; Bruce Lipke, CINTRAFOR; Bob Moore, Oparts Housingsoft, Inc.; John Gorman, Simpson Investment Company.