BILL REQ. #:  S-1346.1 

Read first time 02/05/09.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation.

     AN ACT Relating to entrepreneurial education and training; and amending RCW 43.162.020.

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

Sec. 1   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; and
     (e) In conjunction with the workforce training and education coordinating board:
     (i) Establish and maintain an inventory of the entrepreneurial education, training, and technical assistance services and programs available in the state;
     (ii) Evaluate the extent to which existing entrepreneurial training and technical assistance programs in the state are effective and represent a consistent, integrated approach to meeting the needs of start-up and existing entrepreneurs;
     (iii) Identify policies to reduce administrative and other barriers to efficient delivery and coordination of entrepreneurial assistance;
     (iv) Distribute awards for excellence in entrepreneurial training and assistance; and
     (v) Report to the governor, the workforce training and education coordinating board, and the appropriate legislative committees its recommendations for statutory changes necessary to enhance operational efficiencies or enhance coordination related to entrepreneurial education, training, and assistance.
     (2) The commission may delegate to the executive director any of the functions of this section.