SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6632
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Agriculture & International Trade, February 6, 2002
Title: An act relating to international trade.
Brief Description: Creating a joint committee on globalization and trade agreements.
Sponsors: Senators Prentice, Hochstatter, Keiser, Honeyford, Franklin, Gardner, Regala, Benton, Rasmussen, Kline, Fraser, Carlson, Parlette, Kohl‑Welles and Roach.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Agriculture & International Trade: 2/6/02 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Rasmussen, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Parlette, Sheahan, Snyder, Spanel and Swecker.
Staff: Kim Johnson (786-7486)
Background: Washington laws and residents are affected by globalization and international trade agreements.
In November 2001, a report on globalization was published by the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce and Financial Institutions. This report analyzed the effects of international economic agreements and economic development activities on state law in general and the effects on Washington in particular.
The Lt. Governor's Joint Committee on Economic Development held a hearing on globalization during the fall of 2001. Other states and provinces, including California and British Columbia, have created committees to conduct public hearings on globalization and its effect on their residents.
Summary of Bill: A permanent legislative committee on globalization and trade agreements is created. The President of the Senate appoints four senators and the Speaker of the House appoints four representatives from the Legislature. No more than two members from each house may be from the same political party. Beginning July 1, 2002 and every session during an even-numbered year from then on, a list of appointees is submitted. Any vacancy is filled by an appointment by the remaining members with the limitation that the new member be from the same political party and house as the member whose seat was vacated.
How the committee organizes itself is provided.
The committee has the following powers and duties: (1) hear public testimony at least once a year on the impacts of trade agreements and submit an annual report to the state trade representative's office and to the Legislature on the public testimony; (2) maintain active communication with the state and federal trade representative's offices, the congressional delegation, and any other appropriate body; (3) conduct an annual assessment of the impacts of international trade agreements on Washington's law and submit the report to the Legislature; and (4) examine any aspects of international trade, globalization and trade agreements necessary and appropriate.
Staff support from both the Senate and the House is provided.
The committee members are reimbursed for their travel expenses incurred when traveling to and from committee meetings, attending sessions of the committee or meeting or while engaged in other approved committee business.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Testimony For: It is essential that the Legislature look at globalization and international trade agreements and how they effect Washington residents.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Craig Englking, Sierra Club (pro); Robby Stern, WSLC (pro); Charlie Brown, Washington State Potato Commission and Asparagus Commission (pro).