SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5482

As of February 11, 2003

Title: An act relating to establishing the Washington state economic development commission to replace the governor's small business improvement council.

Brief Description: Establishing the economic development commission.

Sponsors: Senators Benton, West, Rossi, Hale, Schmidt, Winsley, Hewitt, Johnson, Oke, Sheahan, Honeyford, Swecker, Esser and Rasmussen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Economic Development: 2/12/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background: The Washington Competitiveness Council's Task Force on Economic Development investigated the capabilities of the state's economic development infrastructure last year and developed recommendations on how it can be strengthened. The task force recommended that the Legislature create an Economic Development Commission to provide a new governance structure to assist in the development and evaluation of economic development priorities.

Summary of Bill: The Washington State Economic Development Commission is established to oversee and direct the economic development strategies and policies of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development. The commission consists of nine members, appointed for staggered six-year terms. The Governor appoints the members and selects the chair. The members must represent various geographic regions of the state and at least seven must be selected from private businesses.

The commission must address the state's economic development strategy and performance measures, provide policy direction to the department and assist it in getting and using private funds for development, recruitment and promotion. In addition, the commission is to provide direction to the department in the development of strategies for retention, expansion and creation of businesses, strategies for marketing the state's products and services, and strategies to enhance cooperation between local and state entities. The staff work of the commission must be carried out by the department or other state agencies as appropriate within existing resources and operations.

The Governor's Small Business Improvement Council is abolished.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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