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                         SENATE BILL 6619

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State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Senators Prentice, Shin and Oke; by request of Lieutenant Governor

Read first time 01/20/2000.  Referred to Committee on Commerce, Trade, Housing & Financial Institutions.

Creating an office of economic analysis.

    AN ACT Relating to economic analysis; and adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) There is created in the department an office of economic analysis.  The office shall provide information on economic trends and indicators to businesses and industries to assist them in their marketing efforts on a national and international basis and to communities to assist them in their efforts to market their communities to businesses.

    (2) The office shall:

    (a) Collect, analyze, and make available economic trend and indicator information on international, national, and local markets to interested industry groups, businesses, and communities;

    (b) Provide technical assistance to industry clusters, industry associations, and individual businesses that want to export their goods and services, emphasizing small and medium-sized businesses;

    (c) Provide technical assistance to local governments and local economic development organizations to assist them in their business recruitment efforts;

    (d) Work with the office of the Washington state trade representative, created under chapter 43.332 RCW, to identify markets for goods and services provided by Washington businesses, in particular emerging and strategic markets;

    (e) Collect and analyze information on the effects of state economic development incentives and programs on economic growth in the state, emphasizing areas within rural counties and inner cities;

    (f) Work with state agencies on the coordination and dissemination of information on economic trends and indicators;

    (g) Advise the governor and director on policy matters that impact trade and economic development efforts at the state and local level; and

    (h) Conduct other activities that the director deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

    (3) As used in this section, "industry cluster" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.330.090.

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