VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1173-S

May 16, 2003

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 2(3) Substitute House Bill No. 1173 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the office of the Washington state trade representative;"

This bill expands and clarifies the duties of the Washington State Trade Representative.

Subsection (3) of section 2 requires the Office of the Washington State Trade Representative to submit an annual report. While I have no objection to the other amendments in this section, the ongoing reporting requirement is unnecessary given the coordination prescribed by the bill.

For these reasons, I have vetoed section 2(3) of Substitute House Bill No. 1173.

With the exception of section 2(3), Substitute House Bill No. 1173 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Locke

Governor