FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1808

PARTIAL VETO

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                         C 503 L 93

Brief Description:  Creating the council on international trade.

By House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Shin, Mastin, Forner, Wineberry, Rayburn, Jones, Cothern, J. Kohl, Wang, Van Luven, Chandler and Linville).

House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development

Background:  Washington State has several programs to promote international trade and exporting by small businesses.   

The Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED) are engaged in market development activities that include research and market identification programs.  The DTED programs also target key overseas markets and industries. 

The Small Business Export Finance Assistance Center (EAC) is a nonprofit corporation created to provide export counseling.  The EAC guides potential exporters through the procedures and documentation that exporting requires.  The EAC operates the Pacific Northwest Export Assistance Project, which provides extensive technical assistance to a small number of businesses with export potential.

The International Marketing Program for Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT), at Washington State University, and the Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR), at the University of Washington, conduct research and provide information about current and potential markets for Washington's agricultural and forest products.

There is no state entity that coordinates the several public programs promoting international trade, or that facilitates a state trade strategy.

Summary:  The Council on International Trade is established.  There are 15 members on the council:  (1) two members representing trade organizations; (2) two members representing the ports; (3) two representatives of businesses active in exporting goods; (3) three members of the Executive-Legislative Committee on Economic Development; (4) two experts in foreign marketing; (5) two experts in export financing; and (6) the directors of the Department of Trade and Economic Development and the Department of Agriculture.  Non-legislative members are appointed by the governor.

The council's duties include:  (1) advising the Executive Legislative Committee on Economic Development on policies to enhance Washington exports; (2) reviewing current export programs and advising the executive legislative committee regarding markets with potential that currently are not being emphasized by state programs; (3) helping coordinate public export programs statewide; (4) identifying, for the Executive Legislative Committee on Economic Development, current and long-term trade issues that need to be addressed; (5) recommending methods to increase the awareness of the importance of trade to Washington State; and (6) studying the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Uruguay General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations.

The council must make a preliminary report to the governor and the Legislature by June 1, 1994, and a final report by December 1, 1994.  The council expires on June 30, 1995.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  92 0

Senate 39 5 (Senate amended)

                (House refused to concur)

Senate 40 0 (Senate amended)

House  94 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1993

Partial Veto Summary: The provision requiring the council to report to the governor and Legislature through the Executive/Legislative Committee on Economic Development is removed.  The Executive/Legislative Committee on Economic Development was created by SB 5300, which was vetoed by the governor.  (See VETO MESSAGE)