H-3880 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL NO. 1496
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 50th Legislature 1988 Regular Session
By Representatives Kremen, Schoon, Vekich, Hargrove, Basich, Sayan, Jones, Wineberry, P. King and Holm
Read first time 1/18/88 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.
AN ACT Relating to increased access to international trade information; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; making an appropriation; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the strength of the state economy and its regions will increasingly depend upon the capacity of firms in the state to effectively export goods and services in international markets. The legislature further finds that firms in many localities of the state that are exporters of goods and services are not able to effectively utilize the full range of technical and business assistance available from government at the local, state, and federal levels from nonprofit trade organizations and from the private sector. The economic health of businesses in the state that export goods and services is of vital concern to the state, especially in those areas suffering from higher than average unemployment levels where exports can play a major role in stimulating local economies and where access to business and technical assistance is limited. In order to stimulate the growth of business exporters in all areas of the state and to thereby increase employment opportunities, the legislature declares that regional trade offices shall be established in selected areas of the state.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Department" means the department of trade and economic development.
(2) "Director" means the director of trade and economic development.
(3) "Office" or "offices" means the regional trade offices.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department shall establish a pilot project consisting of three regional trade offices. One of these offices shall be located in Whatcom county, one shall be located in Grays Harbor county, and one shall be located in a county east of the Cascade mountains containing a city with more that twenty-five thousand residents. These offices should be located in conjunction with existing state offices. Their location should be in proximity to other offices and organizations concerned with international trade. These offices shall be responsible for providing comprehensive technical and business assistance to in-state exporters of goods and services. Each office shall:
(1) Serve as the local coordinating center for all federal, state, local, and private programs providing information and technical assistance to potential in-state exporters of goods and services.
(2) Provide technical assistance and referrals to in-state businesses on trade-related issues.
(3) Cooperate and coordinate with all federal, state, local, and private organizations providing trade information and technical assistance.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. To coordinate the activities of the regional trade offices, the department shall:
(1) Publish a monthly newsletter detailing the activities of the offices and providing information on developments in the field of international trade; and
(2) Provide public education and marketing services on current trade developments and available programs in trade assistance organizations.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of one hundred ten thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the department of trade and economic development to carry out the purposes of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This act shall take effect July 1, 1988.