CERTIFICATION OF ENROLLMENT

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1059

Chapter 404, Laws of 2003

(partial veto)

58th Legislature
2003 Regular Session



TRADE POLICY--LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE



EFFECTIVE DATE: 7/27/03 - Except section 2, which becomes effective 5/20/03.

Passed by the House February 14, 2003
  Yeas 97   Nays 0

FRANK CHOPP
________________________________________    
Speaker of the House of Representatives


Passed by the Senate April 17, 2003
  Yeas 47   Nays 0


BRAD OWEN
________________________________________    
President of the Senate
 
CERTIFICATE

I, Cynthia Zehnder, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1059 as passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate on the dates hereon set forth.


CYNTHIA ZEHNDER
________________________________________    
Chief Clerk
Approved May 20, 2003, with the exception of the last sentence in section 2, which is vetoed.






GARY LOCKE
________________________________________    
Governor of the State of Washington
 
FILED
May 20, 2003 - 3:56 p.m.







Secretary of State
State of Washington


_____________________________________________ 

SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1059
_____________________________________________

Passed Legislature - 2003 Regular Session
State of Washington58th Legislature2003 Regular Session

By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Veloria, Sump, Grant and Clements)

READ FIRST TIME 02/12/03.   



     AN ACT Relating to the creation of a joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy; adding a new chapter to Title 44 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that international trade is an important part of Washington's economy with Washington as the fifth largest exporting state in the nation. The legislature further finds that World Trade Organization agreements and the North American Free Trade Agreement have implications for Washington state laws governing agriculture, services, environmental regulation, and economic subsidies. The legislature further finds that future trade agreements such as the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas may also impact Washington state. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to create a joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy to monitor the impact of these trade agreements on Washington state laws, and to provide a mechanism for legislators and citizens to voice their opinions and concerns about the potential impacts of these trade agreements to state and federal government officials.

     *NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy is created, to consist of four senators and four representatives from the legislature and three ex officio members. The president of the senate shall appoint the senate members of the committee, and the speaker of the house shall appoint the house members of the committee. No more than two members from each house may be from the same political party. A list of appointees must be submitted by July 1, 2003, and before the close of each regular session during an even-numbered year. Vacancies on the committee will be filled by appointment and must be filled from the same political party and from the same house as the member whose seat was vacated. The ex officio members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house and the president of the senate, and include a representative from the department of agriculture, the state trade representative, and a representative from the office of the attorney general.
     *Sec. 2 was partially vetoed. See message at end of chapter.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The committee shall appoint its own chair and other officers and make rules for orderly procedure.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The committee has the following powers and duties:
     (1) At least once a year, hear public testimony on the actual and potential impacts of international trade agreements and negotiations on Washington state and submit an annual report to the state trade representative's office and to the legislature regarding the public testimony;
     (2) Maintain active communication with the state trade representative's office, the United States trade representative's office, Washington's congressional delegation, the national conference of state legislatures, and any other bodies the committee deems appropriate regarding ongoing developments in international trade agreements and policy;
     (3) Conduct an annual assessment of the impacts of international trade agreements upon Washington law and submit the report to the legislature;
     (4) Examine any aspects of international trade, international economic integration, and trade agreements that the members deem appropriate.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The committee will receive the necessary staff support from both the senate committee services and the house office of program research.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The members of the committee shall serve without additional compensation, but are entitled to receive per diem, mileage, and incidental expense allowances at the rates provided in chapter 44.04 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Sections 1 through 6 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 44 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   Section 2 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.


         Passed by the House February 14, 2003.
         Passed by the Senate April 17, 2003.
         Approved by the Governor May 20, 2003, with the exception of certain items that were vetoed.
         Filed in Office of Secretary of State May 20, 2003.

     Note: Governor's explanation of partial veto is as follows:

"I am returning herewith, without my approval as to the last sentence in section 2, beginning on line 11, Substitute House Bill No. 1059 entitled:

     "AN ACT Relating to the creation of a joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy;"

This bill creates a joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy to monitor the impact of trade agreements on Washington state laws, and to provide a mechanism for legislators and others to voice their opinions about the potential impacts of trade agreements.

The last sentence in section 2 would have provided that the speaker of the house and the president of the senate appoint certain ex officio members, including the state trade representative and representatives from the department of agriculture and the office of the attorney general. While executive branch participation in this committee is appreciated, the selection of these appointees should be left to the executive branch.

For this reason, I have vetoed the last sentence in section 2, beginning on line 11, of Substitute House Bill No. 1059.

With the exception of the last sentence in section 2, beginning on line 11, Substitute House Bill No. 1059 is approved."