2SSB 5995

HOUSE BILL REPORT
2SSB 5995

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House - Amended:
April 12, 2007

Brief Description: Providing for the role of the economic development commission in state government.

Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Zarelli, Kilmer, Clements, Kauffman, Shin, Pridemore, Regala, Fairley, Brown, Jacobsen and Rasmussen).

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Kenney, Chair; Pettigrew, Vice Chair; Chase, Darneille, Rolfes and P. Sullivan.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; McDonald, Assistant Ranking Minority Member and Haler.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended by Committee on Appropriations and without amendment by Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Sommers, Chair; Dunshee, Vice Chair; Buri, Cody, Conway, Darneille, Dunn, Ericks, Fromhold, Grant, Haigh, Hunt, Hunter, Kagi, Kenney, Kessler, Linville, McDermott, McDonald, McIntire, Morrell, Pettigrew, Priest, Schual-Berke, Seaquist and P. Sullivan.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Haler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Chandler, Hinkle, Kretz and Walsh.

Background:

In 2003, the Legislature established the Economic Development Commission (Commission). The duties of the Commission include: reviewing and periodically updating the state's
economic development strategy and performance measures, and performing an annual
evaluation; providing policy direction to the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (DCTED); identifying policies and programs to assist Washington's small businesses; and assisting the DCTED with procurement and deployment of private funds for business development, recruitment and promotion. In addition, the Commission is charged with providing policy direction to the DCTED regarding the development of strategies that: (1) promote business retention, expansion, and creation within the state; (2) market state products and services; (3) promote the state's business climate; (4) enhance relationships and cooperation between local governments, economic development councils, state agencies, and the Legislature; (5) integrate economic development programs; and (6) increase the flexibility of funds available for economic development. The members of the Commission shall also meet with the Chairs and Ranking Minority members of the legislative committees overseeing economic development policies.

The Director of the DCTED must work with the Commission to develop and implement economic development policies consistent with the advice of the Commission.

The Commission consists of seven to nine members appointed by the Governor, and each serves three-year terms. The members selected must broadly represent the state's geographic regions, including central and eastern Washington. In making the appointments, the Governor must consult with organizations with an interest in economic development, as well as the chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic development issues. The Governor should also consider representation from women-owned businesses, minority-owned businesses and small businesses. Seventy-five percent of the Commission members must be from the private sector. The chair of the Commission shall be selected from the appointed members by a majority vote of the Commission.

The Commission is required to provide a biennial report to the Legislature outlining the Commission's review of and recommendations regarding the state's laws, economic development policies, and programs.

Summary of Amended Bill:

The membership of the Commission is increased to 11 voting members, appointed by the Governor. The members must be distributed as follows: six representatives of the private sector; one representative of labor; one representative of port districts; a representative of state public higher education; a representative for state community or technical colleges; and one representative of associate development organizations. In addition, the Director of the DCTED, the Director of the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, the Commissioner of the Employment Security Department, and the chairs and ranking minority members of the standing economic development committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall serve as nonvoting, ex officio members.

The chair of the Commission shall be a voting member selected by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. In selecting the chair, the Governor shall seek a person who understands the future economic needs of the state and nation and the state's economic development system in meeting those needs.

An executive director of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor. The executive director may only be dismissed with the approval of a majority of the Commission and the Governor.

The executive director shall serve as the chief executive officer of the Commission. The executive director may employ such personnel as may be necessary to implement the duties and powers of the Commission. Subject to the approval of the Commission, the executive director shall appoint necessary staff who shall be exempt from the state civil service law. Other staff may be employed by the executive director to ensure the proper discharge of the functions of the Commission. The executive director may also employ outside consulting and service agencies when appropriate. In addition, the executive director may utilize the staff of existing operating agencies to the fullest extent possible. The executive director may not also serve as the chair of the Commission. Finally, the executive director shall exercise such additional powers, other than rule-making, as may be delegated by the Commission.

The duties of the Commission are changed. First, the Commission must concentrate its major efforts on planning, coordination, evaluation, policy analysis, and recommending improvements to the state's economic development system using but not limited to "Next Washington" and the global Competitiveness Council recommendation. Second, the Commission must: develop and maintain on a biennial basis a state comprehensive plan for economic development, including, but not limited to, goals, objectives, and priorities for the state economic development system; identify the elements local associate development organizations must include in their countywide economic development plans; and review the state system for consistency with the state comprehensive plan. Third, the Commission must establish and maintain an inventory of programs of the state economic development system and related state programs; perform a biennial assessment of the ongoing and strategic economic development needs of the state; and assess the extent to which the integrated approach meets such needs.

In addition, the Commission, may, subject to available funding, perform other duties. The Commission may periodically review for consistency with the state comprehensive plan for economic development the policies and plans established for business and technical assistance, export assistance, and infrastructure development. The Commission may review and make recommendations to the Office of Financial Management (OFM) and the Legislature on budget requests and legislative proposals relating to the state economic development system for the purposes of consistency with the state comprehensive plan for economic development. In addition, the Commission may provide coordination among the different agencies, organizations and components of the state economic development system at the state and regional levels. Also, the Commission may advocate for the state economic development system and for meeting the needs of industry associations, industry clusters, businesses, and employees.

By January 1, 2011, the Commission may identify partners and develop a plan to develop a consistent and reliable database on participation rates, costs, program activities, and outcomes from publicly-funded economic development programs in the state. In coordination with the development of the database, the Commission may establish standards for data collection and maintenance for providers in the economic development system in a format that is accessible to use by the Commission. A minimum common core data to be collected may be required by each entity providing economic development services with public funds. The minimum common core data requirements may be developed in consultation with the Economic Climate Council, the OFM, and the providers of economic development services. In addition, the Commission may establish minimum common standards and metrics for program evaluations of economic development programs and monitor such program evaluations. Beginning no later than January 1, 2012, the Commission may administer, on a schedule established by the Commission, a scientifically-based outcome evaluation of the state economic development system.

In addition, the Commission may evaluate proposals and make recommendations for expenditures from the Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account. The Commission must produce a biennial report to the Governor and the Legislature on the progress by the Commission in coordinating the state's economic development system and meeting their other obligations and duties. The report may include any recommendations for statutory changes necessary to enhance the operational efficiencies and improve coordination.

The restriction that the Commission must receive necessary staff support from the DCTED and other appropriate state agencies within existing resources is removed.

Finally, the Economic Climate Council must consult with the Commission when selecting benchmarks. The current Economic Climate Council Advisory Committee is eliminated.

The Commission is required to develop and update a state comprehensive plan for economic development and an inventory of state economic development programs by June 30, 2008, and report to the Legislature and the Governor on the findings, analysis, and recommendations on the appropriate state role in economic development and the appropriate administrative and regional structure for the provision of economic development services by September 1, 2008.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: 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 budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: (Community & Economic Development & Trade)

(In support) Economic development is the key to this state's prosperity and way of life. There is a lack of unifying resource in this state's economic development system. Although there are many organizations, we need an individual economic development mechanism to evaluate plans and programs, monitor other states, and ensure Washington is on the right track. We have been working with the Governor's Office on this bill and would request an amendment to keep the Commission in the DCTED. In addition, we recommend amending the bill to include an inventory and a report on the economic development system. We need to determine what is the best way to structure Washington's economic development system and by tasking the impressive professionals on the Commission, we can improve on our system coordination.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: (Community & Economic Development & Trade) Senator Kastama, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (Community & Economic Development & Trade) None.