HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1678

                       As Passed House

                       March 13, 1993

Title:  An act relating to operation new market.

Brief Description:  Continuing funding for Operation New Market.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Eide, Brough, Wineberry, Pruitt, Valle, Quall and Sheldon.)

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Trade, Economic Development & Housing, February 17, 1993, DP;

Appropriations, March 6, 1993, DPS;

  Passed House, March 13, 1993, 98-0.

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; Campbell; Casada; Conway; Morris; Quall; Schoesler; Sheldon; Springer; Valle; and Wood.

Staff:  Charlie Gavigan (786-7340).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 22 members:  Representatives Locke, Chair; Silver, Ranking Minority Member; Appelwick; Ballasiotes; Basich; Cooke; Dellwo; Dorn; Dunshee; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Lemmon; Linville; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Sommers; Stevens; Talcott; Wang; Wineberry; and Wolfe.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  Signed by 1 member:  Representative Carlson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member.

Staff:  Susan Nakagawa (786-7145).

Background:  Washington state provides export assistance through a variety of public programs and funding.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Trade and Economic Development, within current resources, is to work with the Tacoma World Trade Center to assist small and medium-sized businesses with export opportunities.

Operation New Market is a program designed to enhance export opportunities for Washington businesses.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  (Trade, Economic Development & Housing) The globalization of the economy has resulted in international competition that challenges the state in international and domestic markets.  One in five jobs in Washington is trade-related; the state must successfully export products for the well-being of the whole state economy.  This program will help small and medium-sized companies successfully export products or services.

(Appropriations) None.

Testimony Against:  (Trade, Economic Development & Housing) None.

(Appropriations) None.

Witnesses:  (Trade, Economic Development & Housing) (Pro):  Representative Tracey Eide, prime sponsor; Louise Sandeson, Port of Tacoma; and Alex Clementiev, Neurobotics, Inc.

(Appropriations) None.