HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSCR 8400

                       As Passed House

                       April 21, 1993

Brief Description:  Declaring a sister state relationship with Taiwan.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Talmadge, Skratek, Haugen, Owen, A. Smith, Pelz, Bluechel, Winsley and Erwin).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, April 1, 1993, DP;

Passed House - Amended, April 21, 1993.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 13 members:  Representatives Wineberry, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Forner, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Morris; Quall; Schoesler; Springer; Valle; and Wood.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  In 1991, more than $5 billion in trade was done between the state of Washington and Taiwan.  The state of Washington has established a trade office in Taipei, and has engaged in numerous exchanges with Taiwan in fine arts and recreation.  Many people feel that trade and cultural relations would be enhanced by a sister state relationship between the state of Washington and Taiwan.

Summary of Bill:  The state of Washington agrees to enter into a sister state relationship with Province of Taiwan in the Republic of China.  The governor of the state of Washington is encouraged to promote increased trade, cultural exchanges, and tourism between the two sister states.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date of Bill:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which the bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The Province of Taiwan is the state's third largest trading partner.  The sister state relationship will strengthen our relationship with this important trading partner.  There is strong support for this relationship in the agricultural products area.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Representative Art Wang (Pro); Fred Romero, Department of Trade and Economic Development (Pro); and Art Scheunemann, Department of Agriculture (Pro).