SB 5169

SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5169

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 Reported By Senate Committee On:
Economic Development, Trade & Management, February 21, 2007
Ways & Means, March 5, 2007

Title: An act relating to the Washington international relations foundation.

Brief Description: Creating the Washington international relations foundation.

Sponsors: Senators Shin, Kastama, Zarelli, Pridemore, Haugen, Jacobsen, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen, Delvin and Roach.

Committee Activity: Economic Development, Trade & Management: 1/26/07, 2/21/07[DPS-WM].

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5169 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Kilmer, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Clements, Kauffman and Shin.

Majority Report: That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5169 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Prentice, Chair; Fraser, Vice Chair, Capital Budget Chair; Pridemore, Vice Chair, Operating Budget; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Brandland, Carrell, Hatfield, Hewitt, Hobbs, Honeyford, Keiser, Kohl-Welles, Oemig, Parlette, Rasmussen, Regala, Roach, Rockefeller, Schoesler and Tom.

Background: Washington is the most trade dependent state in the nation. Cultural exchanges and trade missions between state and foreign officials increase goodwill and understanding. Such missions can also result in new investment and jobs coming to Washington and increased opportunities for Washington businesses.

Summary of Bill: The Washington International Relations Foundation is organized as a non-profit corporation to provide assistance to the Legislature in economic, educational, and cultural exchanges between foreign leaders and citizens and legislators and citizens from Washington. A committee of legislators and private citizens is to draw up the foundation's article of incorporation and appoint the initial directors and officers.

The foundation is to coordinate its activities with the executive branch, may solicit donations, gifts, or grants, and may receive funds from the legislative international trade account. State officials and employees soliciting on behalf of the foundation are presumed to be in compliance with the state law regulating solicitation and receipt of gifts.

Upon receipt of an invitation or proposal for a mission, the foundation is to gather information necessary to plan and organize the mission, and release a public goals statement for the mission. At the conclusion of a mission, a public report will be released by the foundation, including information regarding the mission's accomplishments, the participants, and costs. Foundation funds may be used for activities within Washington and gifts for foreign leaders and citizens, but not for the execution of outbound missions or to pay honorariums or expenses, other than normal per diem expenses, of state officials or employees.

The foundation is prohibited from propagandizing or participating in electoral or legislative politics.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Economic Development, Trade & Management): The foundation may sponsor and pay for outbound missions. State citizens may apply to participate on outbound missions. The foundation is to assist in logistics and planning of missions by the Governor, Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development when legislators are invited. One hundred fifty thousand dollars is appropriated each year of the biennium to the foundation. The provisions relating to solicitation of donations by state officers and employees are removed.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY RECOMMENDED SECOND SUBSTITUTE AS PASSED COMMITTEE (Ways & Means): The substitute bill removes the appropriations.

Appropriation: $300,000 of the state General Fund is appropriated to the Washington International Relations Foundation account.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Economic Development, Trade & Management): PRO: We need to maximize our potential abroad by maximizing trade activities. Including legislators in missions is helpful. The bill should make sure there is sensitivity to culture and protocol by people on missions. The bill does not allow for travel overseas; it should address that. There should be coordination with existing missions. Legislators don't have public funds for overseas trips; they are the only public officials that don't. Legislators set the economic climate and steer the state so it is important that they get out and see what is going on overseas.

Persons Testifying (Economic Development, Trade & Management): PRO: William Stafford, Trade Alliance; Andreas Udbye, World Trade Center Tacoma; Ralph Munro, former Secretary of State; Brad Owen, Lieutenant Governor; Pat Jones, Washington Public Ports Association.