FINAL BILL REPORT
ESHB 1509
PARTIAL VETO
C 235 L 03
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Establishing the economic development commission.
Sponsors: By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Skinner, Veloria, Sehlin, Pettigrew, McDonald, Schual-Berke, McCoy, McDermott, Linville, Upthegrove and Conway).
House Committee on Trade & Economic Development
House Committee on Appropriations
Senate Committee on Economic Development
Background:
In September 2002, Governor Locke created an Economic Development Commission (EDC) to help guide Washington's economic development policy and provide continuity to the state's economic strategy. The EDC was formed on the recommendation of Governor Locke's Competitiveness Council.
The EDC has 14 business leaders from across the state and a representative from the labor community. The EDC is to provide policy oversight and long-term guidance on issues directly related to the state's economy to the Department of Community, Trade & Economic Development (DCTED). The Governor directed the EDC to review and update current economic development strategy and performance measures, and perform an annual evaluation, as well as assisting the DCTED on the procurement and deployment of private funds for business development, recruitment and promotion. The EDC is also to solicit ideas from citizens around the state.
Summary:
The Washington State Economic Development Commission (Commission) is established. The current EDC, created by Executive Order, will continue to serve until June 30, 2004.
The Commission will consist of seven to nine members appointed by the Governor, and each will serve three year terms. The members selected must broadly represent the state's geographic regions, including central and eastern Washington. In making the appointments, the Governor must consult with organizations with an interest in economic development, as well as the chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic development issues. The Governor should also consider representation from women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses and small businesses. Seventy-five percent of the Commission members must be from the private sector. The chair of the Commission shall be selected from the appointed members by a majority vote of the Commission.
The Commission may form committees and invite non-Commission members to serve on those committees.
The duties of the Commission include: reviewing and periodically updating the state's economic development strategy and performance measures, and performing an annual evaluation; providing policy direction to DCTED; identifying policies and programs to assist Washington's small businesses; assisting DCTED with procurement and deployment of private funds for business development, recruitment and promotion; providing policy direction to DCTED regarding the development of strategies that: (1) promote business retention, expansion and creation within the state; (2) market state products and services; (3) promote the state's business climate; (4) enhance relationships and cooperation between local governments, economic development councils, state agencies, and the Legislature; (5) integrate economic development programs; and (6) increase the flexibility of funds available for economic development. The Commissioners shall also meet with the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees overseeing economic development policies.
The Director of DCTED must work with the Commission to develop and implement economic development policies consistent with the advice of the Commission.
The Commission will receive staff support from the Governor's office and the DCTED.
The Commission is required to provide a biennial report to the Legislature outlining the Commission's review of and recommendations regarding the state's laws, economic development policies, and programs. The first report is due by December 31, 2004.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 95 0
Senate 49 0 (Senate amended)
House 97 0 (House concurred)
Effective: July 27, 2003
Partial Veto Summary: The Governor vetoed the section that requires the Director of the DCTED to work with the Commission to develop and implement economic development policies consistent with the advice of the Commission.