SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 2420

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

Economic Development, Trade & Innovation, February 18, 2010

Title: An act relating to the promotion of the industries that rely on the state's working land base.

Brief Description: Promoting industries that rely on the state's working land base.

Sponsors: House Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Orcutt, Van De Wege, Conway, Kessler, Blake, Hope, Herrera, Liias, Sullivan, Campbell, Schmick, Quall, Dammeier, Chase, Takko, Morrell and Smith).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/13/10, 92-0.

Committee Activity: Economic Development, Trade & Innovation: 2/17/10, 2/18/10 [DPA].

Majority Report: Do pass as amended.

Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Eide and Kilmer.

Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)

Background: In 2008 the Legislature established the green Economy Jobs Growth Initiative with a goal of increasing the number of clean energy jobs in the state to 25,000 by 2020. Specific actions related to the green economy were to be carried out by a number of state agencies.

In 2009 the Legislature established the Evergreen Jobs Initiative with a goal of creating 15,000 new green economy jobs by 2020 and other goals related to employment, job training, investment, and exports. Specific actions were to be carried out by a number of state agencies.

The Employment Security Department (ESD) 2009 report, Washington State Green Economy Jobs, showed an estimated 47,000 in total direct, private sector green economy employment. Green jobs were reported in 27 industry classifications, including four related to the forest products industry: agriculture and forestry support activities, forestry and logging, wood products manufacturing, and paper manufacturing. The forest products industry as a whole has not been classified as a green industry.

Summary of Bill (Recommended Amendments): ESD is to conduct an analysis of forest product industry occupations and employment projections. ESD is also to define the education and skill standards required for current and emerging green occupations in the industry.

Business representatives on green industry skill panels started by the Workforce Training Board are to include representatives of forest product companies as well as companies engaged in energy efficiency and renewable energy production, pollution mitigation, green buildings, and green transportation.

The Department of Commerce and the Workforce Training Board are to identify barriers to the growth of green jobs in traditional industries such as the forest products industry.

EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE & INNOVATION COMMITTEE (Recommended Amendments): For representation on green industry skill panels started by the Workforce Training Board, business representatives are to come from forest product companies as well as companies engaged in energy efficiency and renewable energy production, pollution mitigation, green buildings, and green transportation.

The forest products industry is given as an example of a traditional industry in the section of the bill that directs the Department of Commerce and the Workforce Training Board to identify barriers to the growth of green jobs in traditional industries.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Substitute House Bill: PRO: This helps the department define what jobs are green. This is supported by the environmental community.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Sean O'Sullivan, Western Pulp and Paper Workers.