HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SSB 5430

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      State Government

Title:  An act relating to Washington state's sister-state relationship with Hyogo prefecture, Japan.

Brief Description:  Commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of Washington's sister‑state relationship with Hyogo prefecture.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Trade, Technology & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Senators Fraser, Bluechel, Pelz, Prentice, Moore, Prince, Moyer, Skratek and Deccio).

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

State Government, March 23, 1993, DPA.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  Signed by 8 members:  Representatives Anderson, Chair; Reams, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Campbell; Conway; Dyer; King; and Pruitt.

Staff:  Bonnie Austin (786-7135).

Background:  Hyogo Prefecture, located in western Honshu, has a population of 5.4 million, similar to that of the state of Washington.  It is composed of five districts:  Hanshin, Harima, Tajima, Tanba, and Awaji Island.  The districts of Hyogo, like the regions of Washington, vary significantly in climate and industry.

Hyogo Prefecture became a sister-state of the state of Washington in 1963.  Its capital, Kobe, is a sister-city of the city of Seattle.  Over the past 30 years, many economic, academic, and cultural exchanges have taken place between Washington and Hyogo.  In 1990, the Hyogo Cultural Center was established in Seattle to assist in cultural and citizen exchanges and to provide economic and trade information.

The Hyogo prefectural government has celebrated previous anniversaries of the Washington-Hyogo sister-state relationship, and is planning a series of events this year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the relationship.

Summary of Amended Bill:  The sum of $45,000 is appropriated from the general fund to the Office of International Relations and Protocol for the purposes of planning for an event or series of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Washington-Hyogo sister-state relationship, to coordinate the activities of official visitors and delegations, and to solicit contributions from the private sector to assist in the commemorative activities.  Funds remaining after June 30, 1993 are reappropriated.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:  A technical amendment clarifies that the reappropriation is for the biennium ending June 30, 1995.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Appropriation:  The sum of $45,000 from general fund to the Office of International Relations and Protocol.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  Washington only has two sister-state relationships, and this the longest standing one. These past 30 years have been very profitable for both parties.  This relationship has resulted in many trade and business agreements, as well as cultural exchanges.  This relationship encourages us to think in terms of the global economy.  This is an international priority.  In the past, Hyogo has enthusiastically celebrated these anniversaries and generously hosted Washington visitors.  This is a modest amount of money to spend for this purpose.  Hyogo spends this much per month on this relationship.  Seed money is needed to encourage private contributions. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Senator Karen Fraser, prime sponsor (pro); Representative Paull Shin (pro); Ralph Munro, Secretary of State (pro); Brent Heinemeann, International Relations and Protocol (pro); and Fred Romero, Department of Trade and Economic Development (pro).