AN ACT Relating to the establishment of the council for the future; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:

Planning for the future by business, government, and the general citizenry is essential for ensuring continued health and well-being of the state as Washington enters the twenty-first century;

In the fast-changing global economy, it is precarious to predict which industries or specific businesses will be winners or losers over the next two decades;

The new world economy requires us to constantly think strategically, and to challenge our assumptions in the light of new information and new economic realities.

The legislature further finds that the implementation of long- term economic development strategy requires the continuous leadership and support of the governor, the economic development cabinet, local economic development councils, the ports, the private sector, including both labor and business, along with the legislature and its appropriate committees.

The legislature therefore agrees with the economic development board's assessment that there is a need for an independent oversight board to maintain the vision of a long-term strategy and to help the public and private sectors focus their attention and resources on the future.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) There is created a council for the future. The council shall consist of seven members, who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor and shall be confirmed by the senate. Terms for appointments shall be six years. Members may be reappointed once.

(2) Appointees shall have served Washington state with distinction in the public sector, private sector or both, and shall have demonstrated wisdom in day-to-day experience. Council members may not concurrently serve in an official capacity in the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of government.

(3) The governor shall select appointees on an at-large basis, without consideration to political affiliation or geographic representation, but shall seek out members with varied backgrounds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The duties of the council are as follows:

(1) To encourage public/private partnerships and initiatives in the field of economic development;

(2) To advise the legislature and the governor on the economic progress of the state, especially in terms of a long-range vision of the future;

(3) To oversee specific implementation of the economic development board's 1989 report, "Washington works worldwide," and any relevant, subsequent economic development strategies accepted by the legislature or governor;

(4) To conduct studies to assist in carrying out its other duties;

(5) To watch for innovative strategies throughout the rest of the United States and the world;

(6) To involve the participation of the citizens of the state in the economic development planning and implementation process, and in particular, to encourage the involvement of citizens through their local economic development organizations;

(7) To submit an annual report on the activities of the council and the economic progress of the state to the governor and the legislature; and

(8) To maintain liaisons with key groups and organizations within the public and private sectors.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. In carrying out its duties, the council may hold public meetings and shall decide the locations where meetings may be held and how often the council should meet. These meetings should involve the local economic development councils and public citizens groups to the extent practicable.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The council may receive gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources that may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of the council and may spend gifts, grants, or endorsements or any income from the public or private source according to their terms.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Council members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. The council may employ an executive secretary and other staff as are necessary to carry out its duties.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The sum of three hundred fifty 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 council for the future for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 2 through 7 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.