1891-S AMS AG S2438.1

SHB 1891 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Agriculture & International Trade

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that the growing and processing of food and agricultural products is the dominant industry in Washington state and a major employer in rural Washington.  The legislature also finds that agriculture is a critical component of Washington's international trade industry, accounting for billions of dollars in exports every year.

    The legislature further finds that the export market for Washington's agricultural products has dropped significantly in recent years and that such a drop has negatively impacted the economy in Washington's agricultural regions.  Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to enhance Washington's international trade of agricultural products by increasing funding for the Washington state department of agriculture's international marketing program in an effort to promote marketing of Washington's products and to assist the agricultural industry in efforts to reduce trade barriers that stand in the way of trade in new and emerging markets.

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

    There is created a market development and promotion matching fund program within the Washington state department of agriculture.  The purpose of the program is to allow the department of agriculture and the agricultural industry to combine funds in order to enhance access to markets that are growth sales areas for the industry's product.  The goal of the program is to expose buyers to Washington's diverse agricultural products.  The agriculture industry may bring in buying missions, perform trade promotions in various markets, hire overseas contractors, and perform other marketing functions that help it target the correct buyer and market for its product.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 43.23 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The legislature finds that trade barriers have become an increasingly important issue in the agricultural arena.  Further, the world trade organization highlighted the need for "a fair and level playing field."  The legislature finds that both large and small commodity groups need adequate resources to address trade barrier issues.

    (2) There is created within the department of agriculture a trade barrier matching fund program to assist agriculture industries in fighting trade barriers.  The purpose of the program is to allow the department of agriculture and the agricultural industry to combine funds in order to address trade barriers issues impacting the agricultural industry.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  If specific funding for the purposes of this act, referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30, 2001, in the omnibus appropriations act, this act is null and void."

SHB 1891 - S COMM AMD

By Committee on Agriculture & International Trade

    On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "agriculture;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding new sections to chapter 43.23 RCW; and creating new sections."

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