BILL REQ. #:  H-3382.1 

READ FIRST TIME 04/21/09.   

     AN ACT Relating to aerospace competitiveness; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that the aerospace industry is a significant part of Washington's economy. The aerospace industry is the state's largest manufacturing employer. For every aerospace job created, another one and one-half jobs are produced in other economic sectors. In addition, aerospace companies are present in many of the counties throughout the state. The legislature finds that Washington state leads the nation in cutting-edge training, education, research, and development, related to the aerospace industry. However, the legislature also finds that these programs could be better coordinated and distributed statewide through the community and technical college system and the research institutions.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) There is created in the office of the governor the Washington council on aerospace. The purpose of the council is to: Emulate national and international best practices that will: (a) Improve coordination and responsiveness of the state's aerospace training, education, research, and development programs to meet industry needs; (b) enhance the state's economic climate for the industry; and (c) ensure that Washington remains the best place in the world to design and manufacture aircraft and grow jobs in the aerospace industry.
     (2) The council shall be composed of thirteen members representing the public and private sectors, as follows:
     (a) The nine public sector members of the council are:
     (i) The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development, or its successor agency, who shall be the chair;
     (ii) The executive director of the state board for community and technical colleges;
     (iii) The executive director of the higher education coordinating board;
     (iv) The president of the University of Washington;
     (v) The president of Washington State University;
     (vi) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
     (vii) One member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate, appointed by the president of the senate.
     (b) The governor shall appoint each of the following four members to four-year terms as private sector representatives on the council:
     (i) One member representing a labor organization of aerospace machinists;
     (ii) One member representing a labor organization of aerospace engineers;
     (iii) One member representing the state's largest aerospace manufacturer; and
     (iv) One member representing aerospace employers.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The council shall:
     (a) Provide counsel and advice to the governor and the legislature on public policies that will strengthen the aerospace industry and support its job growth in Washington; and
     (b) Take joint action to integrate training and education with research and development.
     (2) With the oversight and guidance of the council as a whole, its public sector members are charged with the following lead responsibilities, respectively:
     (a) The executive director of the state board for community and technical colleges must ensure coordination of all aerospace training and apprenticeship programs under its authority;
     (b) The executive director of the higher education coordinating board must ensure that all degree programs of interest to the aerospace industry are provided by and coordinated among the state's four-year institutions of higher education;
     (c) The presidents of the University of Washington and Washington State University must coordinate all aerospace-related research and development activities available through their institutions, and ensure that these activities are responsive to the industry's needs; and
     (d) The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development, or its successor agency, must carry out the state's activities to retain, attract, and grow aerospace companies and jobs.
     (3) The council may consult, as necessary, with the director of labor and industries, the commissioner of the employment security department, or the superintendent of public instruction to assist in the development of policies to carry out the purposes of this chapter.
     (4) The council shall meet with the governor at least twice annually.
     (5) Staffing for the council shall be provided by the department of community, trade, and economic development, or its successor agency.
     (6) Beginning on January 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the council shall report to the governor and legislature on the state of the state's aerospace industry and the activities and accomplishments of the council in the previous calendar year.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The council or the organizations represented by its members shall apply for and may receive public and private grants and donations for training, education, research, development, and other activities relevant to the council's responsibilities under this chapter. State and nonstate moneys received by the council for these purposes must be deposited in the Washington aerospace council account created in section 5 of this act.
     (2) For fiscal years 2009 through 2011, increased training, education, research, or development activities, approved by the council, shall be supported by federal workforce investment act funds or other discretionary funds administered by the governor. These funds may be invested independently to support these activities or may be used as match to leverage additional investments.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The Washington aerospace council account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Only the governor or the council chair may authorize expenditures from the account. Expenditures from the account may be made only for purposes of this chapter. Administrative expenses of the council, including staff support, may be paid from the account. Revenues to the account consist of moneys received from grants and donations, funds administered under the governor's discretion that are deposited into the account, and moneys received pursuant to legislative appropriations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   This act may be known and cited as the aerospace competitiveness act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Sections 1 through 6 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.