SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5001

BYSenators Conner and Lee

Making changes relating to the Washington ambassador program.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 26, 1989; February 1, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5001 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Murray, Smitherman, Warnke, Williams.

Senate Staff:Steve Boruchowitz (786-7429)

                  February 2, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 1, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Washington ambassador program was established to identify persons in the private sector to act as representatives of the state.  Ambassadors provide information about Washington State to businesses and governments in other countries.  However, there is no formalized mechanism by which ambassadors can collect information and provide it to the Department of Trade and Economic Development, nor for the department to analyze and use the information.

SUMMARY:

A country profile information sheet shall be given to each ambassador.  Data collected include:  names of persons visited; economic and political conditions in-country; and ambassador's recommendations to subsequent visitors and suggested products for export.  The department shall encourage other official and business travelers to use the form.  The department shall collect the sheets, consolidate and analyze the data, and disseminate the information to other ambassadors and official and business travelers.  Ambassadors are urged to complete and submit the sheet immediately upon their return.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The data collection form is expanded to include an ambassador's ideas for tourism and investment.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Dennis Matsen, Department of Trade and Economic Development (pro)