BILL REQ. #:  H-3451.2 

Prefiled 12/29/2005. Read first time 01/09/2006.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Agriculture & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to a joint legislative task force on aerospace manufacturing; creating new sections; making an appropriation; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the aerospace sector, as the state's largest manufacturing and exporting industry, has made a significant contribution to local, regional, state, and national economies. The legislature further finds that airports of regional significance in both eastern and western Washington have underutilized property and facilities that could become substantial tools for economic development. The legislature intends to examine and determine how untapped capacity at airports of regional significance can be used to expand manufacturing, research and development, education, and training for the aerospace industry.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1)(a) The joint legislative task force on aerospace manufacturing is established. The task force shall consist of the following voting members:
     (i) One member from each caucus of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate;
     (ii) One member from each caucus of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (iii) Three members representing the aerospace manufacturing and services industry, appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (iv) Two members representing airport owners and managers, appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (v) Two members representing airport business tenants, appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (vi) Two members representing four-year institutions of higher education and work force training at community and technical colleges, appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives;
     (vii) One member representing a county planning organization, appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives; and
     (viii) One member representing the federal aviation administration, appointed jointly by the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.
     (b) In addition, the departments of transportation and community, trade, and economic development shall each maintain a liaison representative, who shall be a nonvoting member. The departments shall cooperate with the task force and provide information as the task force may reasonably request.
     (c) Appointments under this section must be made within forty-five days of the effective date of this section.
     (d) The task force shall choose bipartisan cochairs from among its legislative membership.
     (2) The task force shall review the following issues related to expanding the presence of aerospace manufacturing and associated research and development, education, and training businesses at airports of regional significance:
     (a) The composition of the current aerospace manufacturing industry in Washington state and significant trends that affect retention, expansion, and recruitment of companies in that industry;
     (b) Aerospace and nonaerospace businesses currently sited at airports of regional significance;
     (c) The inventory of untapped or underutilized capacity at airports of regional significance;
     (d) Types of aerospace manufacturing and associated businesses that could be sited at airports of regional significance;
     (e) Financial and technical resources that are available and those that would be needed; and
     (f) Statutory and regulatory changes required to expand the presence of aerospace manufacturing and associated businesses at airports of regional significance.
     (3) The task force, where feasible, may consult with individuals from the public and private sector or ask such persons to establish an advisory committee.
     (4)(a) The task force shall use legislative facilities, and staff support shall be provided by senate committee services and the house office of program research.
     (b) The task force may hire additional staff or contract with additional persons who have specific technical expertise if such expertise is necessary to carry out the mandates of the study.
     (5) Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (6) The expenses of the task force shall be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives. Task force expenditures are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house executive rules committee, or their successor committees.
     (7) The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by June 30, 2007.
     (8) This section expires December 31, 2007.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the house of representatives and the senate for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   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.