WHEREAS, The growing internationalization of the state economy has increased the importance of international trade to the vitality of the state economy, especially in the wake of the dramatic financial shifts which have occurred in the past year; and

WHEREAS, The Washington state economy is more involved in the international economy than that of any other state, as a result of the importance of exports of goods and services produced in the state, goods imported and exported through the state's ports and transportation arteries, and international investment; and

WHEREAS, The state has a continuing interest in ensuring that firms, workforces, and individuals in all areas of the state have the capacity to participate in international markets, with special emphasis on the needs of small and medium-sized firms, smaller communities, economically distressed areas and populations, and mature industries; and

WHEREAS, The trade deficit experienced by the United States has led to dramatic increases in exports in recent months, providing major opportunities for increased employment and economic activity in the state resulting from international trade; and

WHEREAS, The state has a continuing interest in ensuring the coordination of the public and private efforts to promote and expand international trade activities, endeavoring to increase the effectiveness of such expenditures, and attempting to ensure that the benefits of international trade and investments are widely shared in the state; and

WHEREAS, The Economic Development and Labor Committee of the Senate and the Trade and Economic Development Committee of the House of Representatives have aggressively developed international trade and investment legislation during recent years; and

WHEREAS, The committees have reviewed numerous studies and reports, including the report of the Department of Trade and Economic Development's International Trade Assistance Advisory Committee for improving Washington's trade programs; and

WHEREAS, It is the intention of the Legislature to undertake the development and enhancement of programs to ensure coordination and expansion of public and private trade activities to permit the state's citizens to benefit from the opportunities available in the international economy and to develop a comprehensive state international trade and investment strategy for the 1989 session;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives of the state of Washington, the Senate concurring, That the House Trade and Economic Development Committee and the Senate Economic Development and Labor Committee shall jointly undertake a study to:

(1) Investigate policies to encourage international trade so as to permit the state's citizens to benefit from the opportunities in the international economy;

(2) Evaluate the effect of current state laws on the participation of the state's firms, workforces, and citizens in international trade and investment activities;

(3) Evaluate current public and private programs to assess their impact on the development of international trade and investment;

(4) Investigate whether firms, workforces, and individuals in all areas of the state have the capacity to participate in international markets, with special emphasis on the needs of small and medium-sized firms, smaller communities, economically distressed areas and populations, and mature industries;

(5) Develop proposals for alternatives for structuring state programs to enhance international trade and investment and to ensure that the benefits of international trade and investment are available in all areas of the state, with emphasis on the needs of small and medium sized firms, smaller communities, economically distressed areas and populations, and mature industries;

(6) Assess the need for state and federal coordination of policies and programs governing international trade and investment;

(7) Develop models for continued cooperation between state government, local government and the private sector to foster a favorable climate for the development of international trade and investment;

(8) Develop appropriate legislation to promote international trade and investment and to ensure that the benefits of international trade and investment are available in all areas of the state, with emphasis on the needs of small and medium-sized firms, smaller communities, economically distressed areas and populations, and mature industries;

(9) Review in detail the 1987 report of the Department of Trade and Economic Development's International Trade Assistance Advisory Committee and develop legislation to implement those recommendations deemed appropriate; and

(10) Place special emphasis on assisting continuing cooperation among the various sectors of the international trade and investment communities to ensure the effectiveness of state, private, and nonprofit programs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the leadership of the majority and minority caucuses of the House of Representatives and the Senate shall each appoint two members from each caucus respectively to assist the committees in their deliberations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That in addition to House and Senate committee staff, the executive branch agencies shall provide staff assistance at the request of the committee chairs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Office of the Governor and the department of Trade and Economic Development, all Washington ports, all governmental units interested in enhancement of international trade, and the private sector are requested to cooperate and provide information to the committees, and their subcommittees, in carrying out their responsibilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the legislative committees shall report to the legislature by January 1, 1989, outlining their findings and recommendations.