AN ACT Relating to the Washington Marketplace program; amending RCW 43.31.522, 43.31.524, and 43.31.526; and amending section 1, chapter 417, Laws of 1989 (uncodified).

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

Sec. 1. Section 1, chapter 417, Laws of 1989 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows:

The legislature finds and declares that substantial benefits in increased employment and business activity can be obtained by assisting businesses in identifying opportunities to purchase the goods and services they need from ((~~in-state~~)) Washington state suppliers rather than from out-of-state suppliers and in identifying new markets for Washington state firms to provide goods and services. The replacement of out-of-state imports with services and manufactured goods produced in-state can be an important source of economic growth in a local community especially in rural areas. Businesses in the state are often unaware that goods and services they purchase from out-of-state suppliers are available from in-state firms with substantial advantages in responsiveness, service, and price. Increasing the economic partnerships between businesses in Washington state can build bridges between urban and rural communities and can result in the identification of additional opportunities for successful economic development initiatives. Providing additional information to businesses regarding in-state sources of goods and services can be a particularly valuable component of revitalization strategies in economically distressed areas. The legislature finds and declares that it is the policy of the state to strengthen the economies of local communities by increasing the economic partnerships between in-state businesses and creating programs to assist businesses in identifying in-state sources of goods and services, and in addition to identify new markets for Washington firms to provide goods and services.

Sec. 2. Section 2, chapter 417, Laws of 1989 and RCW 43.31.522 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout ((~~this act~~)) RCW 43.31.524 and 43.31.526:

(1) "Department" means the department of trade and economic development.

(2) "Center" means the business assistance center established under RCW 43.31.083.

(3) "Director" means the director of trade and economic development.

(4) "Local nonprofit organization" means a local nonprofit organization organized to provide economic development or community development services, including but not limited to associate development organizations, economic development councils, and community development corporations.

Sec. 3. Section 3, chapter 417, Laws of 1989 and RCW 43.31.524 are each amended to read as follows:

There is established a Washington marketplace program within the business assistance center established under RCW 43.31.083. The program shall assist ((~~Washington~~)) businesses to competitively meet their needs for goods and services within Washington state by providing information relating to the replacement of imports or the fulfillment of new requirements with ((~~in-state~~)) Washington products produced in Washington state. The program shall place special emphasis on strengthening rural economies in economically distressed areas of the state meeting the criteria of an "eligible area" as defined in RCW 82.60.020(3). The Washington marketplace program shall consult with the community revitalization team established pursuant to chapter 43.165 RCW.

Sec. 4. Section 4, chapter 417, Laws of 1989 and RCW 43.31.526 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall contract with local nonprofit organizations in at least ((~~four~~)) three economically distressed areas of the state((,)) that meet the criteria of an "eligible area" as defined in RCW 82.60.020(3)((,)) to implement the Washington marketplace program in these areas. The department, in order to foster cooperation and linkages between distressed and nondistressed areas and urban and rural areas, may enter into joint contracts with multiple nonprofit organizations. ((Each joint contract must include at least one nonprofit organization that is located in a distressed area. No joint contract may include more than one nonprofit organization located in an urban location. In contracting with local nonprofit organizations, the department)) Contracts with economic development organizations to foster cooperation and linkages between distressed and nondistressed areas and urban and rural areas shall be structured by the department and the distressed area marketplace programs. Contracts with economic development organizations shall:

(a) Award contracts based on a competitive bidding process, pursuant to chapter 43.19 RCW;

(b) Give preference to nonprofit organizations representing a broad spectrum of community support; and

The department may require that contractors contribute at least twenty percent local funding.

(2) The contracts with local nonprofit organizations shall be for, but not limited to, the performance of the following services for the Washington marketplace program:

(a) Contacting Washington state businesses to identify goods and services they are currently buying or are planning in the future to buy out-of-state and determine which of these goods and services could be purchased on competitive terms within the state;

(b) Identifying locally sold goods and services which are currently provided by out-of-state businesses;

(c) Determining, in consultation with local business, goods and services for which the business is willing to make contract agreements;

(d) Advertising market opportunities described in (c) of this subsection; and

(e) Receiving bid responses from potential suppliers and sending them to that business for final selection.

(3) Contracts may include provisions for charging service fees of businesses that profit as a result of participation in the program.

(4) The center shall also perform the following activities in order to promote the goals of the program:

(a) Prepare promotional materials or conduct seminars to inform communities and organizations about the Washington marketplace program;

(b) Provide technical assistance to communities and organizations interested in developing an import replacement program;

(d) Provide continuing management and technical assistance to local contractors; and

(e) Report by December 31 of each year to the senate economic development and labor committee and to the house of representatives trade and economic development committee describing the activities of the Washington marketplace program.