FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2188

                          C 75 L 94

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Revising provisions relating to international trade through Washington ports.

By Representatives Kremen, Chandler, Wineberry, Linville, Schoesler, Quall, Forner, Wood, Campbell and Rayburn.

House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development

Background: In 1989, the Legislature enacted legislation to authorize the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) to create a federation of Washington ports, in order to increase cooperation and coordination between the ports and thereby promote international trade and tourism.  The Legislature also required the WPPA to submit annual reports to the Legislature describing its efforts to establish the federation.  The Federation of Washington Ports is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 1994, unless re-authorized by the Legislature. 

The Legislative Budget Committee recommended that the federation be allowed to continue, and that the annual report prepared by the Washington Public Ports Association on federation activities be eliminated.

Port districts are also authorized to establish export trading companies to enhance international trade.  The authorization to form export trading companies expires on June 30, 1994, unless re-authorized by the Legislature.

Summary:  The provisions that would have allowed the Federation of Washington Ports to sunset are repealed.  The Washington Public Ports Association is no longer required to submit annual reports pertaining to the establishment of the Federation of Washington Ports.  The provisions that would have deleted the authority for port districts to establish export trading companies are repealed.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  94 0

Senate 48 0

Effective:  June 9, 1994