SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5002

BYSenators Lee, McMullen and Conner

Establishing the international policy advisory council.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 10, 1989; January 12, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5002 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; McDonald, McMullen, Murray, Saling, Smitherman, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Steve Boruchowitz (786-7429)

                  January 12, 1989

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 22, 1989; March 6, 1989

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 5002 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Terry Wilson (786-7715)

                  March 7, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 6, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The International Trade Assistance Advisory Council was set up by the executive branch in 1986 to develop proposals for improved coordination and delivery of state trade programs.  Operating on an ad-hoc basis, this group has developed proposals for implementation on a wide range of topics.  It has been suggested that this kind of advisory group, consisting of executive, legislative and private sector representatives, could be useful on a formalized, on-going prospective basis.

SUMMARY:

A state international policy advisory council is established to advise the Directors of the Departments of Trade and Economic Development, Agriculture and others on an on-going basis concerning international policy and trade development issues, to serve as a conduit for information on international issues to the private sector, and to coordinate government and private trade programs.

The council is composed of members representing the Legislature, the for-profit private sector (including agriculture), and the nonprofit private sector.

The council is charged with recommending the site for and responsibilities of a state representative office for Europe.  That office should monitor EEC integration policy developments and serve as a liaison between state government and businesses and other countries on economic development and trade issues.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The number of council members is changed, reducing legislative representation from four to two, and the total from ten to eight.  A study of scientific education and marketing exchange programs is also required.  The council's reporting function is made mandatory.  Co-location or cooperation with state port offices is encouraged.

The appropriation identifies $25,000 for the study of the European office, $275,000 for the establishment of the European office, and $100,000 for the council's administrative costs.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SECOND SUBSTITUTE:

The Legislative Budget Committee is directed to analyze the operations of the council.  In addition, the appropriation of $400,000 is deleted and the bill is made contingent on funding in the budget.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR:  Donald Lorentz, Jeanne Cobb, DTED; Don White, Washington Public Port Association (pro); Art Scheunemann, Agriculture; Richard Harding, First Interstate Bank; Robert Dilger, Washington State Building Trades Council

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  No one