HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1667

                      As Passed House:

                      January 10, 1996

Title:  An act relating to educational, cultural, and business exchange programs.

Brief Description:  Promoting sister relationships with other countries.

Sponsors:  Representatives Radcliff, Brumsickle, Hickel, Dickerson, Quall, Blanton, Thompson, Cole, Pelesky, Veloria, D. Schmidt, Mason, Conway, Skinner, Lambert, Elliot, Johnson and Schoesler.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Trade & Economic Development:  2/13/95 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  2/22/95, 98-0;

Passed House:  1/10/96, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 12 members:  Representatives Van Luven; Radcliff, Vice Chairman; D. Schmidt, Vice Chairman; Veloria, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Backlund; Ballasiotes; Hatfield; Hickel; Mason; Sherstad; Skinner and Valle.

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786-7392).

Background:  The state of Washington has seen mutual benefit from its sister relationships with other countries.  The sister relationships usually involve educational, cultural, business exchanges.  These exchanges have become an important aspect of Washington State's trade development and the international education of our citizens.

In 1991, the Office of International Relations and Protocol was created to serve as the state's official liaison and protocol office with foreign governments.  The office provides a visible, coordinated, and comprehensive approach to international relations and protocol.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development and the Office of International Relations and Protocol are directed to provide information and assist local governments in maintaining their established sister-city/county/port relationships in other countries.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Sister-relationships are important to educational, cultural, and trade exchanges.  We need to encourage cities, counties, and ports to maintain these important relationships.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ralph Munro, Secretary of State (Pro) and Burton Bard, American Cultural Exchange (Pro).