Read first time 02/14/2005.   Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research & Development.

     WHEREAS, There is concern about state contracts performed, in whole or in part, outside the United States and its impacts on Washington's economy, including its agricultural, manufacturing, and technology sectors; and
     WHEREAS, There is also concern about contracts entered into by state agencies which are performed, in whole or in part, outside the United States; and
     WHEREAS, Business, labor, and government leaders recognize that an objective and thorough study of the impact on Washington's economy of state agency contracts that are performed in whole or in part outside the United States is needed;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a study of state contracts performed, in whole or in part, outside the United States and its impacts on Washington's economy be conducted; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the study include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of the following:
     (1)(a) The extent to which the performance of state agency contracts in whole or in part in other countries results in the creation or loss of family-wage or other jobs in Washington;
     (b) The degree to which the performance of state contracts in whole or in part outside the United States helps Washington's economy and its companies remain competitive globally; and
     (c) The extent to which state agency contracts being performed in whole or in part in other countries creates a need for adjustment assistance and retraining programs to ensure that Washington's business climate, its employers, and its workers remain competitive globally.
     (2)(a) The degree to which state contracts, and any subcontracts under such contracts, are being performed at locations outside the United States;
     (b) The extent to which state contracts performed at locations outside the United States involve a risk of unauthorized use or disclosure of personal information as well as a review of applicable Washington state and federal laws regarding the privacy of personal information;
     (c) Subject to available funding, the economic costs and benefits of awarding state contracts, and any subcontracts under such contracts, to Washington companies;
     (d) The applicability of international trade agreements and federal law to state procurement policies; and
     (e) The extent to which legislative authority over state procurement is adequately protected, including the ability of state agencies to adequately supervise the performance of contracts when all or a portion of the work is performed in a country other than the United States.
     (3) The reasons Washington businesses choose to locate operations outside the United States; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the study be conducted by a joint task force of the Senate and the House of Representatives consisting of the following: Two representatives to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, two representatives to be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, two senators to be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, and two senators to be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint task force on state contracts performed, in whole or in part, outside the United States consult with and be advised and monitored by an advisory committee consisting of eight members: Three members representing labor, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, from a list of names recommended by a statewide organization representing a cross-section of organized labor in the state; three members representing business, one of whom shall represent small business, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, from a list of names recommended by a statewide organization of employers representing a cross-section of employers of the state; one member representing the office of the Washington state trade representative; and one member representing the public; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the findings and recommendations of the joint task force on state contracts performed, in whole or in part, outside the United States shall be reported to the legislature by January 1, 2006.