H-0871.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1208

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

By Representatives Morris, Reardon, Conway, Hatfield, O'Brien, Edwards and Linville

Read first time 01/19/2001.  Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

Promoting the export of Washington agricultural products.

    AN ACT Relating to international marketing of agricultural products; adding a new section to chapter 43.23 RCW; and making appropriations.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  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 members of the Pacific Northwest economic region, port districts, or commodity commissions for the purpose of:

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

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

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002, from the general fund to the department of agriculture for the purposes of section 1 of this act.  The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions:

    (1) The funds must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with funds from other members of the Pacific Northwest economic region; and

    (2) No more than five percent of this appropriation may be used for administrative costs of the department of agriculture.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, from the general fund to the department of agriculture for the purposes of section 1 of this act.  The appropriation in this section is subject to the following conditions:

    (1) The funds must be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis with funds from other members of the Pacific Northwest economic region; and

    (2) No funds from this appropriation may be used for administrative costs of the department of agriculture.

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