SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 6448

              As Passed Senate, February 9, 2000

Title:  An act relating to creating an education and training program for port district officials.

Brief Description:  Promoting the improvement of port district employees.

Sponsors:  Senators T. Sheldon, Hale, Gardner, Sellar, Haugen and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Labor & Workforce Development:  1/31/2000 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/9/2000, 45-1.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Fairley, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Hochstatter, Kline, Oke and Wojahn.

Staff:  Elizabeth Mitchell (786-7430)

Background:  There is concern that small rural ports may be unable to fund staff participation in education and training opportunities.

Summary of Bill:  Port districts are authorized to utilize the services of a nonprofit corporation in order to provide training and education for port district officials and employees.  Port districts are authorized to transfer funds received from industrial development corporations to the nonprofit corporation.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Smaller rural ports often do not have sufficient funding for employee education and training.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Patrick Jones, Washington Public Ports Association.