S-336 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL NO. 5004
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State of Washington 51st Legislature 1989 Regular Session
By Senators West, Lee, Anderson, Conner, Warnke, Johnson, Sutherland and Bauer
Prefiled with Secretary of the Senate 12/5/88. Read first time 1/9/89 and referred to Committee on Economic Development & Labor.
AN ACT Relating to state government; adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. There is established within the department of trade and economic development the joint Washington-Oregon office of Asian affairs.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The director of the department and the director of the Oregon department of trade shall jointly appoint a manager of the office. The manager shall report jointly to and serve at the pleasure of both directors. The manager's compensation will be determined by the directors, and shall be comparable to that of an agency deputy director. The manager shall remain in office until a successor is appointed.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The manager may employ such staff as is necessary to carry out the powers and functions assigned under sections 3 through 5 of this act. The manager and all staff members shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW. The manager is encouraged to pool resources for employment of support staff and acquisition of supplies. The manager shall choose the location for the office, with the department of general administration advising on office location. Primary consideration shall be given to colocation with the department of agriculture's office in Tokyo.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The manager may enter into a cooperative agreement with the Washington department of agriculture to incorporate some or all of their Tokyo office activities into the joint Washington-Oregon office.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The powers and functions of the manager shall enable the manager to act as liaison from the states to the businesses and governments of Asian countries. The powers and duties shall include:
(1) Helping to promote the states' goods and services to representatives of foreign countries, to international organizations, and to others dealing in international trade and development; and serving as a source of information for businesses in Asian countries involved in international trade.
(2) Providing a mechanism to identify sources of funds for capital projects and other economic development projects in Asian countries and partners for national, regional, and international development projects that will enhance the opportunities for business in each state.
(3) Informing the governor, the legislature, and appropriate agencies of the existence of programs which will be or may be carried out in or by Asian countries, including scientific research programs in developing countries.
(4) Providing agencies, the governor, and the legislature with information about policy and conditions in each Asian country on matters about which the states are concerned.
(5) Serving as a focal point and local resource for visiting state legislators, agency officials, and governor's staff.
(6) Representing the states at meetings, seminars, and conferences in which the states have an interest.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall each be added to chapter 43.31 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. This office will not be established unless the state of Oregon enacts similar legislation creating a joint Washington-Oregon office of Asian affairs to be located in Tokyo, Japan.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the general fund to the governor's office to be used by the joint Washington-Oregon office of Asian affairs to carry out the purposes of this act.