BILL REQ. #:  S-1737.1 

Read first time 02/22/2005.   Referred to Committee on International Trade & Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to expanding the office of the Washington state trade representative; and amending RCW 43.332.010.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.332.010 and 2003 c 346 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the Washington state trade representative is created in the office of the governor. ((The office)) A minimum of two trade policy professionals shall serve the office as the state's official liaisons with foreign governments on trade matters. The state trade representatives shall be appointed by the governor with consent of the senate.
     (2) The office shall:
     (a) Work with the department of community, trade, and economic development, the department of agriculture, and other appropriate state agencies, and within the agencies' existing resources, review and analyze proposed and enacted international trade agreements and provide an assessment of the impact of the proposed or enacted agreement on Washington's businesses and firms;
     (b) Provide input to the office of the United States trade representative in the development of international trade, commodity, and direct investment policies that reflect the concerns of the state of Washington;
     (c) Serve as liaison to the legislature on matters of trade policy oversight including, but not limited to, updates to the legislature regarding the status of trade negotiations, trade litigation, and the impacts of trade policy on Washington state businesses;
     (d) Work with the international trade division of the department of community, trade, and economic development and the international marketing program of the Washington state department of agriculture to develop a statewide strategy designed to increase the export of Washington goods and services, particularly goods and services from small and medium-sized businesses; ((and))
     (e) Promote the governor's trade efforts by initiating, organizing, and coordinating state trade missions; and
     (f) Conduct other activities the governor deems necessary to promote international trade and foreign investment within the state.
     (3) The office shall prepare and submit an annual report on its activities under subsection (2) of this section to the governor and appropriate committees of the legislature.