6561-S

AN ACT Relating to the marketplace program; and amending RCW 43.31.526 and 43.31.526; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 43.31.526 and 1990 c 57 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall contract with governments, industry associations, or local nonprofit organizations ((in at least three economically distressed areas of the state that meet the criteria of an "eligible area" as defined in RCW 82.60.020(3) to implement the Washington marketplace program in these areas. The department, in order)) to foster cooperation and linkages between distressed and nondistressed areas and between urban and rural areas, and between Washington and other Northwest states. The department may enter into joint contracts with multiple nonprofit organizations. Contracts with economic development organizations to foster cooperation and linkages between distressed and nondistressed areas and urban and rural areas shall be structured by the department and the distressed area marketplace programs. Contracts with economic development organizations shall:

(a) Award contracts based on a competitive bidding process, pursuant to chapter 43.19 RCW; and

(b) ((~~Give preference to nonprofit organizations representing a broad spectrum of community support; and~~

~~(c)~~)) Ensure that each location contain sufficient business activity to permit effective program operation.

The department may require that contractors contribute at least twenty percent local funding.

(2) The contracts with governments, industry associations, or local nonprofit organizations shall be for, but not limited to, the performance of the following services for the Washington marketplace program:

(a) Contacting Washington state businesses to identify goods and services they are currently buying or are planning in the future to buy out-of-state and determine which of these goods and services could be purchased on competitive terms within the state;

(b) Identifying locally sold goods and services which are currently provided by out-of-state businesses;

(c) Determining, in consultation with local business, goods and services for which the business is willing to make contract agreements;

(d) Advertising market opportunities described in (c) of this subsection; ((~~and~~))

(e) Receiving bid responses from potential suppliers and sending them to that business for final selection; and

(f) Establish linkages with federal, regional, and Northwest governments and nonprofit organizations, to foster buying leads and information benefiting Washington suppliers and industry and trade associations.

(3) Contracts may include provisions for charging service fees of businesses that ((~~profit as a result of participation~~)) participate in the program.

(4) The center shall also perform the following activities in order to promote the goals of the program:

(a) Prepare promotional materials or conduct seminars to inform communities and organizations about the Washington marketplace program;

(b) Provide technical assistance to communities and organizations interested in developing an import replacement program;

(d) Provide continuing management and technical assistance to local contractors; and

(e) Report by December 31 of each year to the senate economic development and labor committee and to the house of representatives trade and economic development committee describing the activities of the Washington marketplace program.

Sec. 2. RCW 43.31.526 and 1993 c 280 s 48 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department shall contract with governments, industry associations, or local nonprofit organizations ((~~in distressed areas of the state that meet the criteria of an "eligible area" as defined in RCW 82.60.020(3) to implement the Washington marketplace program in these areas. The department, in order~~)) to foster cooperation and linkages between distressed and nondistressed areas and between urban and rural areas, and between Washington and other Northwest states. The department may enter into joint contracts with multiple nonprofit organizations. Contracts with economic development organizations to foster cooperation and linkages between distressed and nondistressed areas and urban and rural areas shall be structured by the department and the distressed area marketplace programs. Contracts with economic development organizations shall: