S-0480.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5945

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Senators Rasmussen, Deccio, Newhouse and A. Anderson

Read first time 02/15/95.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Agricultural Trade & Development.

Promoting the agricultural trade showcase.

    AN ACT Relating to the agricultural trade showcase; 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 that agriculture represents a vital component of the state of Washington's economy as the state's second largest industry in terms of value of production.

    The legislature finds that the emerging global economy is becoming increasingly competitive, thus proactive marketing efforts of the state's key industries such as agriculture is important in terms of job retention and creation, as well as raising the level of income for the state's citizens.

    The legislature also finds that the agricultural trade showcase has become the primary vehicle for promoting the state's fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, agricultural technologies, and agricultural-related service providers, thus establishing a mechanism for marketing the state's agricultural goods and services to domestic and international consumers.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, from the general fund to the county of Yakima for the purposes of funding the activities of the agricultural trade showcase as follows:

    (1) One hundred thousand dollars is provided for the enhancement of state-wide participation of small and medium-sized businesses in the agricultural trade showcase; and

    (2) One hundred thousand dollars is provided to enhance the ability of the county to recruit qualified buyers from overseas markets, particularly emerging markets offering growing demand for high value agricultural goods and services.

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