Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Trade & Economic Development Committee

HB 1891

Brief Description:  Increasing the international trade of Washington state agricultural products.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mulliken, Schoesler, Veloria, B. Chandler, Van Luven, Linville, G. Chandler, Conway and Dunn.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Creates a set of programs designed to promote the marketing of Washington=s agricultural products by (1) combining public/private funds to market agricultural products to domestic and foreign buyers; (2)  assisting commodity groups in addressing trade barriers that hinder their access to foreign markets; and (3) providing additional services to agricultural groups by locating an agricultural trade specialist in Moses Lake, Washington.

$Appropriates $625,000 in fiscal year 2002 and $625,000 in fiscal year 2003 to the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of funding the individual programs.

Hearing Date:  2/20/01

Staff:  Kenny Pittman (786‑7392).

Background: 

The Washington Department of Agriculture (WDA) is the designated state agency for the administration and implementation of state agricultural marketing development programs and activities.  These marketing programs and activities are designed to promote the sale of Washington=s agricultural products in domestic and foreign markets.

The WDA is directed to assist in the promotion of Washington=s agricultural products by: (1) acting as an effective intermediary between foreign nations and Washington traders; (2) encouraging and promoting the movement of foreign and domestic agricultural goods through Washington=s ports; (3) conducting an active program by sending representatives to, or engaging representatives in, foreign countries to promote the state=s agricultural commodities and products; (4) encouraging the production of those commodities that will have high export potential and appeal; (5) coordinating the trade promotional activities of appropriate federal, state, and local public agencies, as well as civic organizations; and (6) developing a coordinated marketing program with the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, using existing trade offices and participating in mutual trade missions and activities.

Summary of Bill: 

A series of programs are developed in the Department of Agriculture that are designed: (1) to promote the marketing of Washington=s agricultural products; (2) to reduce trade barriers that hinder the export of Washington=s agricultural products; and (3) to assist all agricultural groups market their products to inbound buyers by placing an agricultural trade specialist in Moses Lake, Washington.

Market Development and Promotion Matching Fund Program

A Marketing Development and promotion matching fund program is created in the Department of Agriculture.  The program provides funds, which must be matched by funds from the agricultural industry, to hire a contractor to market and promote Washington=s agricultural products in certain markets.  The goal of the program is to expose domestic and foreign buyers to Washington=s diverse agricultural products.  An appropriation of $250,000 in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 is provided for the marketing and promotion of Washington=s agricultural products.

Trade Barrier Matching Fund Program

A Trade Barrier Matching Fund program is created in the Department of Agriculture.  The program provides matching funds to large and small commodity groups to assist them in addressing trade barriers that hinder the export of Washington=s agricultural goods to foreign markets.  The Department has sole discretion on the distribution of the matching funds.  An appropriation of $250,000 in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 is provided for use as matching funds to commodity groups.

Eastern Washington Trade Specialist

The Department of Agriculture must station an agricultural trade specialist in Moses Lake, Washington.  The agricultural trade specialist provides services and works with all agricultural groups in arranging meetings for inbound buying mission, and providing assistance to companies in the promotion of agricultural products.  An appropriation of $125,000 in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 is provided to support the activities of the Eastern Washington Trade Specialist.

Appropriation:  $625,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002. $625,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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