SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5005

BYSenators West, Lee, Anderson and Conner

Establishing the joint Washington-Oregon office of state-federal relations.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

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

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5005 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; McMullen, Murray, Smitherman, West, Williams.

Senate Staff:Steve Boruchowitz (786-7429)

                  January 18, 1989

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

BACKGROUND:

As federal funding of various programs has been reduced over the years, it has become more difficult for states to compete for the limited funds.  Further, Washington State has the stated policy of expanding international trade.  Other economic development fields, such as development projects, are funded by Washington, D.C.-based international organizations.

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

SUMMARY:

A joint Oregon-Washington office of state-federal relations in Washington, D.C. is created.  The director is appointed by the governors.  The office will serve to promote the state's goods and services to foreign countries, international organizations, and federal agencies; to provide information to businesses; to identify sources of funds and partners for international development and capital projects; to coordinate state and federal programs in high priority areas, such as training and retraining; to inform the Legislature of federal programs to be carried out in the state; 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 office is a state of Washington office of federal-state relations.  The director is encouraged to offer services of the office to other states and Washington municipalities (including ports).  Subject areas of responsibility are clarified to reflect the state's spectrum of agencies and programs.

Appropriation:    $200,000 for the 1989-91 biennium.

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 5, 1989

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