[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to international marketing of Washington's goods and services; amending RCW 43.23.035 and 43.31.145; adding a new section to chapter 43.23 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that:

(1) International trade is an integral part of the state's economy;

(2) Washington's economy is vital to the Pacific Northwest region, which includes several states and Canadian provinces;

(3) Increasing global competition requires economic policies that build on the strengths of the region and create ongoing opportunities for the sale of Washington's goods and services;

(4) Greater efficiency through cooperation with other states and Canadian provinces within the region will benefit businesses in the region, as well as in Washington.

It is the intent of this act to increase the overseas promotion of Washington's goods and services by colocating, where feasible, the state's trade offices or offices of the state's foreign representative contractors with comparable offices of other states and Canadian provinces that are members of the Pacific Northwest economic region.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.23 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The director of the department may enter into contracts with members of the Pacific Northwest economic region, port districts, or commodity commissions for the purpose of:

(a) Establishing foreign trade offices designed to promote the export of Washington agricultural products; or

(b) Contracting with overseas contractors to promote the export of Washington's agricultural products.

(2) The department shall report to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the results of the export promotion efforts under this section and recommendations for improvements.

Sec. 3. RCW 43.23.035 and 1995 c 399 s 70 are each amended to read as follows:

The department of agriculture is hereby designated as the agency of state government for the administration and implementation of state agricultural market development programs and activities, both domestic and foreign, and shall, in addition to the powers and duties otherwise imposed by law, have the following powers and duties:

(1) To study the potential marketability of various agricultural commodities of this state in foreign and domestic trade;

(2) To collect, prepare, and analyze foreign and domestic market data;

(3) To establish a program to promote and assist in the marketing of Washington-bred horses: PROVIDED, That the department shall present a proposal to the legislature no later than December 1, 1986, that provides for the elimination of all state funding for the program after June 30, 1989;

(4) To encourage and promote the sale of Washington's agricultural commodities and products at the site of their production through the development and dissemination of referral maps and other means;

(5) To encourage and promote those agricultural industries, such as the wine industry, which attract visitors to rural areas in which other agricultural commodities and products are produced and are, or could be, made available for sale;

(6) To encourage and promote the establishment and use of public markets in this state for the sale of Washington's agricultural products;

(7) To maintain close contact with foreign firms and governmental agencies and to act as an effective intermediary between foreign nations and Washington traders;

(8) To publish and disseminate to interested citizens and others information which will aid in carrying out the purposes of chapters 43.23, 15.64, 15.65, and 15.66 RCW;

(9) To encourage and promote the movement of foreign and domestic agricultural goods through the ports of Washington;

(10) To conduct an active program by sending representatives to, or engaging representatives in, foreign countries to promote the state's agricultural commodities and products;

(11) To assist and to make Washington agricultural concerns more aware of the potentials of foreign trade and to encourage production of those commodities that will have high export potential and appeal;

(12) To coordinate the trade promotional activities of appropriate federal, state, and local public agencies, as well as civic organizations; ((~~and~~))

(13) To colocate, where feasible, state trade offices or offices of foreign representative contractors with comparable offices of states or Canadian provinces that are members of the Pacific Northwest economic region, as defined in chapter 43.147 RCW; and

(14) To develop a coordinated marketing program with the department of community, trade, and economic development, utilizing existing trade offices and participating in mutual trade missions and activities.

As used in this section, "agricultural commodities" includes products of both terrestrial and aquatic farming.

Sec. 4. RCW 43.31.145 and 1991 c 24 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The department is charged with the primary role within state government for the establishment and operation of foreign offices or offices of foreign representative contractors created for the purpose of promoting overseas trade and commerce.

(2) The department shall colocate, where feasible, state foreign offices or offices of foreign representative contractors with comparable offices of states or Canadian provinces that are members of the Pacific Northwest economic region, as defined in chapter 43.147 RCW.