SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5004

BYSenators West, Lee, Anderson, Conner, Warnke, Johnson, Sutherland and Bauer

Establishing the joint Washington-Oregon office of Asian affairs.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 10, 1989; January 18, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5004 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

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

Senate Staff:Steve Boruchowitz (786-7429)

                  February 23, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, JANUARY 18, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Washington State has the stated policy of expanding international trade.  Pacific Rim trade is and will continue to be a major component of the state's trade picture.  The benefits as well as costs are increasing.  Efforts to consolidate programs and to expand the state's presence in the Pacific Rim have been suggested.

Discussions over the past several months between legislators from Washington and Oregon identified a jointly-operated representative office in Asia as a high priority, mutually beneficial endeavor.

SUMMARY:

A joint Oregon-Washington office of Asian affairs is created.  The director is appointed by the governors.  The office will serve to promote the state's goods and services to foreign countries and international organizations; to provide information to businesses; to identify sources of funds and partners for international development and capital projects; to inform the Legislature of programs to be carried out in the states; and to serve as a focal point for official visitors from the states.  For this legislation to take effect, Oregon must enact similar legislation.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Departments of Agriculture and Trade and Economic Development are directed to study ways of reducing the costs of operating their Tokyo offices.  Suggested ideas include cooperation or co-location with other states and buying foreign currency forward.  A report, including specific suggestions for legislative and administrative action, is to be presented to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Labor prior to the next legislative session.  The appropriation of $200,000 is removed.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 5, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Don Lorentz and Patricia Akiyama, Department of Trade and Economic Development; Art Scheunemann, Department of Agriculture