1852 AMS AG S4584.1

1852 AMS AG S4584.1

HB 1852 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Agriculture & International Trade

ADOPTED 03/08/02

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) International trade is an integral part of the state's economy;

(2) Washington's economy is vital to the Pacific Northwest region, which includes several states and Canadian provinces;

(3) Increasing global competition may require economic policies that build on the strengths of the region and create ongoing opportunities for the sale of Washington's goods and services;

(4) Greater efficiency through cooperation with other states and Canadian provinces within the region will benefit businesses in the region, as well as in Washington.

It is the intent of this act to increase the overseas promotion of Washington's goods and services by colocating, where feasible and advantageous, the state's trade offices or offices of the state's foreign representative contractors with comparable offices of other states and Canadian provinces.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.23 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The director of the department may enter into contracts with port districts, commodity commissions, or other appropriate state or regional organizations for the purpose of:

(a) Establishing foreign trade offices designed to promote the export of Washington food and agricultural products; or

(b) Contracting with overseas representatives to promote the export of Washington's food and agricultural products.

(2) The department shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the results of the export promotion efforts under this section and recommendations for improvements.

Sec. 3. RCW 43.23.035 and 1995 c 399 s 70 are each amended to read as follows:

The department of agriculture is hereby designated as the agency of state government for the administration and implementation of state agricultural market development programs and activities, both domestic and foreign, and shall, in addition to the powers and duties otherwise imposed by law, have the following powers and duties:

(1) To study the potential marketability of various agricultural commodities of this state in foreign and domestic trade;

(2) To collect, prepare, and analyze foreign and domestic market data;

(3) To establish a program to promote and assist in the marketing of Washington-bred horses: PROVIDED, That the department shall present a proposal to the legislature no later than December 1, 1986, that provides for the elimination of all state funding for the program after June 30, 1989;

(4) To encourage and promote the sale of Washington's agricultural commodities and products at the site of their production through the development and dissemination of referral maps and other means;

(5) To encourage and promote those agricultural industries, such as the wine industry, which attract visitors to rural areas in which other agricultural commodities and products are produced and are, or could be, made available for sale;

(6) To encourage and promote the establishment and use of public markets in this state for the sale of Washington's agricultural products;

(7) To maintain close contact with foreign firms and governmental agencies and to act as an effective intermediary between foreign nations and Washington traders;

(8) To publish and disseminate to interested citizens and others information which will aid in carrying out the purposes of chapters 43.23, 15.64, 15.65, and 15.66 RCW;

(9) To encourage and promote the movement of foreign and domestic agricultural goods through the ports of Washington;

(10) To conduct an active program by sending representatives to, or engaging representatives in, foreign countries to promote the state's agricultural commodities and products;

(11) To assist and to make Washington agricultural concerns more aware of the potentials of foreign trade and to encourage production of those commodities that will have high export potential and appeal;

(12) To coordinate the trade promotional activities of appropriate federal, state, and local public agencies, as well as civic organizations; ((~~and~~))

(13) To locate trade offices or contract with foreign representatives to promote the export of Washington's food and agricultural products. Where feasible, advantageous, and consistent with the goals and objectives of the department, the director may colocate a trade office or cooperate in contracting overseas representatives with port districts, commodity commissions, or other appropriate state or regional organizations; and

(14) To develop a coordinated marketing program with the department of community, trade, and economic development, utilizing existing trade offices and participating in mutual trade missions and activities.

As used in this section, "agricultural commodities" includes products of both terrestrial and aquatic farming.

Sec. 4. RCW 43.31.145 and 1991 c 24 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department is charged with the primary role within state government for the establishment and operation of foreign offices ((~~created for the purpose of promoting~~)) or contract with foreign representatives to promote overseas trade and commerce.

(2) The department, where feasible, advantageous, and consistent with the goals and objectives of the department, may colocate a trade office or cooperate in contracting overseas representatives with states or Canadian provinces."

HB 1852 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Agriculture & International Trade

ADOPTED 03/08/02

On page 1, line 2 of the title, after "services;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "amending RCW 43.23.035 and 43.31.145; adding a new section to chapter 43.23 RCW; and creating a new section."