BILL REQ. #:  H-0122.3 

Read first time 01/14/09.   Referred to Committee on Community & Economic Development & Trade.

     AN ACT Relating to the Washington state economic development commission; amending RCW 43.162.010 and 43.162.020; and adding a new section to chapter 43.162 RCW.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 43.162.010 and 2007 c 232 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The Washington state economic development commission is established to ((oversee the economic development strategies and policies of the department of community, trade, and economic development)) provide the governor and legislature with policy analysis, strategic planning, program evaluation, and monitoring of the state's economic development system.
     (2)(a) The Washington state economic development commission shall consist of eleven voting members appointed by the governor as follows: Six representatives of the private sector, one representative of labor, one representative of port districts, one representative of four-year state public higher education, one representative for state community or technical colleges, and one representative of associate development organizations. The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development, 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 committees of the house of representatives and the senate overseeing economic development policies 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 role the state's economic development system has in meeting those needs.
     (b) In making the appointments, the governor shall consult with organizations that have an interest in economic development, including, but not limited to, industry associations, labor organizations, minority business associations, economic development councils, chambers of commerce, port associations, tribes, and the chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic development.
     (c) The members shall be representative of the geographic regions of the state, including eastern and central Washington, as well as represent the ethnic diversity of the state. Private sector members shall represent existing and emerging industries, small businesses, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses. Members of the commission shall serve statewide interests while preserving their diverse perspectives, and shall be recognized leaders in their fields with demonstrated experience in economic development or disciplines related to economic development.
     (3) Members appointed by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the governor for three-year terms. No member shall serve more than two full consecutive terms. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
     (4) The commission may establish committees as it desires, and may invite nonmembers of the commission to serve as committee members.
     (5) The executive director of the commission shall be appointed by the governor ((with the consent of)) based upon recommendations made by the voting members of the commission. The salary of the executive director shall be set by the governor. The governor may dismiss the executive director only with the approval of a majority vote of the commission. The commission, by a majority vote, may dismiss the executive director with the approval of the governor.
     (6) The commission may adopt rules for its own governance.
     (7) Members are eligible to receive reimbursement for travel expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (8) A majority of members currently appointed constitutes a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.

Sec. 2   RCW 43.162.020 and 2007 c 232 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The Washington state economic development commission shall:
     (((1))) (a) 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, the "Next Washington" plan and the global competitiveness council recommendations;
     (((2))) (b) 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. In developing the state comprehensive plan for economic development, the commission shall use, but may not be limited to: Economic, labor market, and populations trend reports in office of financial management forecasts; the annual state economic climate report prepared by the economic climate council; joint office of financial management and employment security department labor force, industry employment, and occupational forecasts; the results of scientifically based outcome evaluations; the needs of industry associations, industry clusters, businesses, and employees as evidenced in formal surveys and other input;
     (((3))) (c) Establish and maintain an inventory of the 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 economic development system and related programs represent a consistent, coordinated, efficient, and integrated approach to meet such needs; ((and
     (4))) (d) Produce a biennial report to the governor and the legislature on progress by the commission in coordinating the state's economic development system and meeting the other obligations of this chapter, as well as include recommendations for any statutory changes necessary to enhance operational efficiencies or improve coordination;
     (e) Consult, collaborate, and coordinate with other state agencies and local organizations when developing plans, inventories, and assessments so as to avoid duplication of effort; and
     (f) Have the authority to accept gifts, grants, donations, sponsorships, or contributions from any federal, state, or local governmental agency or program or any private source and expend the same for any purpose consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
     (2) The commission may delegate to the executive director any of the functions of this section.
     (3) The commission shall not operate programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 43.162 RCW to read as follows:
     The Washington state economic development commission program fund is created in the state treasury. All receipts from gifts, grants, donations, sponsorships, or contributions under RCW 43.162.020 must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. Expenditures from the account may be used by the Washington state economic development commission only for the purposes related to economic development within the state of Washington.