SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6290

BYSenators Lee, Warnke, Bluechel, Anderson, Fleming, Conner, Smitherman, West, Johnson, Gaspard and von Reichbauer; by request of Department of Trade and Economic Development

Broadening and extending the Washington ambassador program.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 13, 1988; January 20, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6290 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Conner, Deccio, McMullen, Saling, Smitherman, Warnke, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Patrick Woods (786-7430)

                  January 20, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, JANUARY 20, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The Washington Ambassador Program was first created in 1984 as the honorary commercial attache program and reestablished under its present name in 1985.  The program was placed in the Department of Trade and Economic Development with the intention of promoting Washington products in international markets and encouraging foreign investment in the state.  The Ambassador Program utilizes the skills of individuals that are familiar with Washington products and investment opportunities.  Ambassadors are appointed by the Governor with the consent of the President of the Senate.  They receive no remuneration and are prohibited from promoting their own business interests while acting in an official capacity.

The Legislative Budget Committee conducted a performance audit of the program in 1987 under the sunset review process and recommended the program be reauthorized until 1992 with the following modifications:  a management system should be developed to measure and track the Ambassador Program's performance; and additional authorization should be provided to the program to operate on a national basis.

SUMMARY:

The Washington Ambassador Program is reauthorized with the following modifications: the program is permitted to operate on a national basis; the level of the Department's background research and reference evaluation of proposed ambassadors is reduced; and ambassadors are not required to receive a flag upon appointment.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The importance of public sector and private sector cooperation in administering the ambassador program is emphasized.  The program is scheduled to sunset in 1992.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Richard Ford; Dennis Matson