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AN ACT Relating to international trade; adding new sections to chapter 43.06 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds and declares that:

(1) The expansion of international trade is vital to the overall growth of Washington's economy;

(2) The current state efforts to develop relations with foreign countries are insufficient for effective coordination and mobilization of resources necessary to promote economic growth and international trade;

(3) There is a need to strengthen and coordinate the state's activities in marketing its agricultural, manufacturing, and service industries overseas, especially for small and medium-sized businesses; and

(4) The state needs to develop better and more consistent representation of its trade interests, especially as a result of new trade agreements and policies at the state, national, and international levels.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.06 RCW to read as follows:

There is created within the office of the governor the position of Washington state trade representative. The Washington state trade representative is exempt from chapter 41.06 RCW. The Washington state trade representative must be paid a salary to be fixed by the governor in accordance with RCW 43.03.040. The department of community, trade, and economic development shall provide staff support.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.06 RCW to read as follows:

The purposes of the Washington state trade representative are to:

(1) Strengthen the state's efforts to influence national and international trade policies affecting the state's agricultural, manufacturing, and service industries;

(2) Respond to industry complaints concerning foreign trade barriers, and help represent its interest before appropriate agencies;

(3) Expand export opportunities for the state's small and medium-sized businesses; and

(4) Participate in the development of international agreements that affect Washington's economic interest in cooperation with the office of the United States trade representative and other appropriate agencies and organizations.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.06 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington state trade representative shall:

(1) Consult with the department of agriculture and the various agricultural commissions, created in Title 15 RCW, on the promotion of Washington agricultural commodities overseas;

(2) Consult with the department of community, trade, and economic development on improving the environment for international trade of Washington manufacturing, agriculture, and service industries overseas;

(3) Chair the governor's advisory committee on international trade;

(4) Organize, coordinate, promote, and participate in export promotion events including, but not limited to, trade fairs, missions, delegations, marts, seminars, and advertising;

(5) Develop, in consultation with the governor's advisory committee on international trade, the department of agriculture, and the department of community, trade, and economic development a long-term international trade strategy that specifies how the state together with industry plans to improve its capacity to respond to international trade opportunities;

(6) Advise the governor and the legislature on state activities in expanding international trade opportunities for Washington businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses; and

(7) Accept or request grants or gifts from public and private sources to be used to defray the costs of the operation of the office.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The sum of one hundred sixty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1995, from the general fund to the office of the governor for the purposes of this act.