READ FIRST TIME 02/11/14.   

     AN ACT Relating to fostering economic resilience and development in Washington by supporting the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature recognizes the important role of the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors in creating and sustaining economic opportunities in Washington. The maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors account for forty percent of the gross domestic product in Washington. In looking to the state's future, the legislature finds that supporting the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors is critical to building and sustaining a diverse and resilient economy in Washington.
     (2) The maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors are interconnected with the public infrastructure, including ports, roads, railways, energy facilities, and water-sewer facilities. The protection and expansion of public infrastructure, including through urban planning and disaster recovery planning, is crucial to the success of the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors.
     (3) To that end, the legislature intends to engage in a collaborative process with state agencies, local governments, and private sector leaders to evaluate whether changes in state and local policies are necessary to foster resilience and growth in the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors. Through the establishment of the joint select legislative task force, the legislature intends to take action to support and sustain the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors as the region continues to recover from the national financial crisis and progresses toward a future of increased economic opportunity for all citizens of the state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1)(a) A joint select legislative task force on the economic resilience of maritime and manufacturing in Washington is established, with members as provided in this subsection.
     (i) The speaker of the house of representatives must appoint three members from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives.
     (ii) The president of the senate must appoint three members from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate.
     (iii) The governor must appoint one member to represent the department of commerce.
     (b) The legislative members of the task force must select cochairs from among the membership, one from the house of representatives and one from the senate.
     (2)(a) The task force must develop recommendations that achieve the following objectives:
     (i) Identify the maritime and manufacturing sectors of economic significance to the state;
     (ii) Identify and assess the critical public infrastructure that supports and sustains the maritime and manufacturing sectors;
     (iii) Identify the barriers to maintaining and expanding the maritime and manufacturing sectors;
     (iv) Identify and assess the educational resources and support services available to local governments with respect to supporting and sustaining the development of the maritime and manufacturing sectors;
     (v) Promote regulatory consistency and certainty in the areas of urban planning, land use permitting, and business development in a manner that encourages the maritime and manufacturing industries in urban areas;
     (vi) Encourage cooperation between the public and private sectors to foster economic growth;
     (vii) Explore public-private sector collaborations that draw on Washington State University research centers and institutes with expertise on maritime interoperability and critical infrastructure resilience;
     (viii) Identify aspects of state policy that have an impact on fostering resilience and growth in the maritime and manufacturing sectors, such as storm water policy and other food fish-related issues; and
     (ix) Maximize the opportunities for employment in the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors in Washington.
     (b) The recommendations of the task force must include a short and long-term action plan for the legislature to support and sustain the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors in Washington. The recommendations of the task force may also include specific legislative approaches, such as changes to state law, and nonlegislative approaches, such as action plans for state agencies and local governments.
     (3)(a) The task force must consult with local governments and state agencies, which must include, but are not limited to: The department of commerce, the department of transportation, the office of regulatory assistance, the workforce training and education coordinating board, and associate development organizations.
     (b) The legislative cochairs must appoint an advisory committee consisting of maritime and manufacturing business, labor, and other representatives to provide technical information and assistance in completing the objectives of the task force. Membership on the advisory committee must include, but are not limited to representatives from: Marine terminal operators, manufacturing, maritime businesses, local industrial councils, local labor trades councils, and chambers of commerce.
     (4) The task force must submit to the governor and the appropriate committees of the legislature a work plan by December 1, 2014, and a report with the task force's final findings and recommendations by November 1, 2015.
     (5) Staff support for the task force must be provided by the senate committee services and the house of representatives office of program research.
     (6) Legislative members of the task force must be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
     (7) The expenses of the task force must be paid jointly by the senate and the house of representatives. Task force expenditures are subject to approval by the senate facilities and operations committee and the house of representatives executive rules committee, or their successor committees.
     (8) This section expires June 1, 2016.