Brief Description: Establishing the Washington trade corps fellowship program.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on International Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Kastama, Sheldon, Rasmussen, Doumit, Weinstein, Fraser, Swecker, McAuliffe, Oke, Eide, Honeyford, Franklin, Mulliken, Prentice, Pflug, Kohl-Welles, Jacobsen and Roach).

Hearing Date: 2/22/06

Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

The Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED) is responsible for establishing and operating foreign offices promoting overseas trade and commerce. The DCTED currently has overseas offices in China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington Trade Corps Fellowship Program is created to enhance the work of Washington's trade offices by placing up to five Washington college and graduate students per year in the offices as fellows. Applicants for the fellowships must be enrolled in a school offering a credential in a field that would prepare them for international work and be proficient in the language of the country where they are placed.

Fellows are to serve from six to eighteen months and receive a stipend of at least $10,000 plus living and travel expenses. Living and travel expenses may not exceed 60 percent of the state's average yearly wage or $25,000, whichever is greater. Institutions are encouraged to and may provide fellows with college credit.

The DCTED is to appoint a committee to assist in evaluating applicants and selecting fellows. A fellowship candidate may be required to intern with the DCTED prior to final selection. The committee membership should include: at least three members of organizations concerned with international trade; at least one from a stateside organization; at least two representatives of regional organizations from different regions of the state; at least three shall be from an accredited public or private university or college within Washington and have expertise in international trade. The decision of the DCTED in selecting fellows is final.

Assignments will be made in consultation with the fellow's college. No more than two fellows shall be assigned to any trade office at one time. Reports to the DCTED will be required in addition to any requirements of the fellow's college. Post-fellowship employment with the DCTED may be required. The DCTED must report annually to the Legislature on the Washington Trade Corps Program.

Fellows are to follow U.S. travel advisories, and the state and colleges are not liable for injuries caused by changes in the security status of placement countries.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the Omnibus Appropriation Act.