AN ACT Relating to state market development activities; amending RCW 43.31.350 and 43.31.370; adding new sections to chapter 43.23 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature declares that:

(1) Agricultural marketing is a dynamic and changing part of Washington agriculture and a vital element in expanding the state economy.

(2) The export of agricultural products produced in Washington state contributes substantial benefits to the economic base of the state, provides a large number of jobs and sizeable tax revenues to state and local governments, provides an important stabilizing effect on prices received by agricultural producers, and contributes to the United States balance of trade.

(3) State government should play a significant role in the development and expansion of markets for Washington grown and processed agricultural and food products.

(4) In order for state government to serve the best interests of agriculture in the area of market development, the role of state government in this area must be clearly defined.

It is the intent of the legislature to establish an organized agricultural market development function within state government with clearly defined areas of responsibility for the Washington state department of agriculture and the Washington state department of commerce and economic development which will be responsive to the state's agricultural and food products industries' needs, without duplicating established private sector marketing efforts.

Sec. 2. Section 1, chapter 221, Laws of 1967 and RCW 43.31.350 are each amended to read as follows:

It is the intent of the legislature that the state through the department of commerce and economic development shall:

(1) Promote, encourage, and cooperate in the development of foreign trade ((~~by the state of Washington~~)) of manufactured exports, and the state's manufacturing technology, and of the state as a site for new investment;

(2) Advise, inform, and assist citizens of the state regarding foreign market potentials and operational procedures of foreign trade;

(3) Stimulate the business and professional community of the state to actively engage in the promotion and development of foreign trade;

(4) Foster closer ties between the state and foreign countries to the end that social, cultural, and economic barriers to trade may be reduced to a minimum.

Sec. 3. Section 4, chapter 221, Laws of 1967 as amended by section 9, chapter 175, Laws of 1984 and RCW 43.31.370 are each amended to read as follows:

The department of commerce and economic development through the office of international trade is hereby designated the agency of state government for the promotion and development of international trade of manufactured exports, and the state's manufacturing technology, and of the state as a site for new investment and shall, in addition to the powers and duties otherwise imposed by law, have the following powers and duties:

(1) To study the potential marketability of various agricultural, natural resource, and manufacturing commodities of this state in international trade;

(2) To collect, prepare, and analyze international and domestic market data;

(3) To maintain close contact with international firms and governmental agencies and to act as an effective intermediary between nations other than the United States and Washington traders;

(4) To publish and disseminate to interested citizens and others information which will aid in carrying out the purposes of RCW 43.31.040 and 43.31.350 through 43.31.370;

(5) To encourage and promote the movement of international and domestic goods through the ports of Washington;

(6) To conduct an active program by sending representatives to, or engaging representatives in, other nations to promote the state as an international trade and investment center;

(7) To assist and to make Washington ((~~agricultural,~~)) natural resource((,)) and manufacturing concerns more aware of the potentials of international trade and to encourage production of those ((~~commodities~~)) products which will have high export potentials and appeal;

(8) To administer state participation in state or international trade fairs;

(9) To coordinate the trade promotional activities of appropriate federal, state, and local public agencies, as well as civic organizations;

(10) To administer the honorary commercial attache program established under this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.23 RCW to read as follows:

The department of agriculture is hereby designated the agency of state government for the administration and implementation of state agricultural market development programs and activities, both domestic and foreign, and shall, in addition to the powers and duties otherwise imposed by law, have the following powers and duties:

(1) To study the potential marketability of various agricultural commodities of this state in foreign and domestic trade;

(2) To collect, prepare, and analyze foreign and domestic market data;

(3) To maintain close contact with foreign firms and governmental agencies and to act as an effective intermediary between foreign nations and Washington traders;

(4) To publish and disseminate to interested citizens and others information which will aid in carrying out the purposes of chapters 43.23, 15.64, 15.65, and 15.66 RCW;

(5) To encourage and promote the movement of foreign and domestic agricultural goods through the ports of Washington;

(6) To conduct an active program by sending representatives to, or engaging representatives in, foreign countries to promote the state's agricultural commodities and products;

(7) To assist and to make Washington agricultural concerns more aware of the potentials of foreign trade and to encourage production of those commodities that will have high export potential and appeal; and

(8) To coordinate the trade promotional activities of appropriate federal, state, and local public agencies, as well as civic organizations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 43.23 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is hereby created the agricultural market development advisory committee to the department. The advisory committee shall consist of the dean of the college of agriculture from Washington State University, the Washington state director of agriculture, two persons selected by a vote of the existing agricultural commodity commissions, and nine members appointed by the governor, including one person representing fresh food shippers, two persons representing growers of commodities not presently represented by agricultural commodity commissions, one person representing agricultural cooperatives, one person representing processors of agricultural products, one person representing food products brokers, one person representing transportation, and two persons representing agriculture at large and selected from names submitted by established agricultural organizations.

(2) Members of the committee appointed by the governor shall receive compensation in the amount provided under RCW 43.03.230 for each day spent in attendance at or in traveling to and from meetings of the committee, or on special assignment for the committee, together with travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

(3) Of the initial members of the committee, four shall serve for four years and three shall serve for two years as determined by the governor with terms commencing on July 1, 1985. Thereafter, all terms shall be for four years.

The chairman is to be selected by a vote of the members of the committee and shall serve for a period of two years commencing on July 1st of odd-numbered years.

The committee shall meet at least twice per year and shall meet additional times upon the call of the chairman.

(4) The funding of the advisory committee shall be provided from the appropriation made by the legislature to carry out the department's agricultural market development program.