S-933                 _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5005

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Economic Development and Labor (originally sponsored by Senators West, Lee, Anderson, Conner, Johnson, Williams, Sutherland, Bauer and Smith)

Read first time 1/20/89.

AN ACT Relating to the state office of state-federal relations; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     There is established the Washington office of state-federal relations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The governor shall appoint a director of the office.  The director shall report to and serve at the pleasure of the governor.  The director's compensation will be determined by the governor, and shall be comparable to that of an agency deputy director.  The director shall remain in office until a successor is appointed.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The director may employ such staff as is necessary to carry out the powers and functions assigned to the director under this chapter.  The director and all staff members shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW.  The director is encouraged to pool resources for employment of support staff and acquisition of supplies.  The director shall choose the location for the office, with the department of general administration advising the director on office location.  The director is encouraged to offer the office's services to other states or Washington state municipalities on a cost basis.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The powers and functions of the director shall enable the director to act as liaison from the state to the federal government.  The director's powers and duties include:

          (1) Helping to promote the state's goods and services to representatives of foreign countries, to international organizations, and to federal agencies and offices dealing in international trade and development; and serving as a source of information for businesses in the state who deal in international trade.

          (2) Providing a mechanism to identify sources of funds for economic development, scientific research, or other important projects in the state and partners for regional, national, and international projects that will enhance the economy of the state.

          (3) Helping coordinate state and federal programs dealing with high priority subjects including, but not limited to, export development, environmental protection, housing, community development, health care, job creation, training, and retraining.

          (4) Informing the governor and the legislature of the existence of federal programs which will be or may be carried out in the state, or which affect state programs, including scientific research programs at federal facilities.

          (5) Providing federal agencies and the congress with information about state policy and about conditions in the state on matters about which the federal government is concerned.

          (6) Providing the legislature with information useful in measuring the effect of federal programs on state and local programs.

          (7) Serving as a focal point and local resource for visiting state legislators, agency officials, and governor's staff.

          (8) Representing state agencies and offices at meetings, seminars, and conferences in which the state has an interest.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     Sections 1 through 4 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     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 Washington office of state-federal relations to carry out the purposes of this act.