HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5001

BYSenate Committee on Economic Development & Labor (originally sponsored by Senators Conner and Lee)

Making changes relating to the Washington ambassador program.

House Committe on Trade & Economic Development

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendments.  (12)

      Signed by Representatives Cantwell, Chair; Doty, Ranking Republican Member; G. Fisher, Kremen, Moyer, Rasmussen, Raiter, Rector, Schoon, Tate, Walk and Youngsman.

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

MARCH 22, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Washington ambassador program was established by legislation in 1984. This program is administered by the Department of Trade and Economic Development (the department).  The department selects persons from the private sector to support Washington State's economic development programs in foreign countries.  The department provides information and materials to the ambassadors to present to foreign governments and businesses.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  In addition to their present duties, ambassadors are to complete a country profile information sheet provided by the Department of Trade and Economic Development (the department).  The information collected includes: (1) the names of persons visited; (2) the economic and political conditions in the country; (3) the recommendations of the ambassador regarding subsequent visitors; (4) the suggestions of the ambassador regarding products that could be exported from Washington State to that country; and (5) the ideas of the ambassador regarding investment opportunities and tourism.  Ambassadors are not required to reveal proprietary information.

The department is to encourage appropriate non-ambassadors to complete the country profile information sheet.  State legislators who travel in other countries may be appointed as Washington ambassadors.

The department is to collect, consolidate, and analyze the country profile information sheets and make the results available to ambassadors and other persons.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO SUBSTITUTE:  Clarification is made that state legislators may be ambassadors.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Stephen Odom, Department of Trade and Economic Development.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The ambassador program should be expanded to gather information about the culture and economies of foreign countries and marketing opportunities that may be available for Washington state products.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.