Brief Description: Encouraging legislator trade mission participation.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Commerce & Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Shin, Swecker, T. Sheldon, Reardon, Fairley, West, Benton, Kohl-Welles, Rasmussen and Winsley).

Hearing Date: 3/28/03

Staff: Tracey Taylor (786-7196).

Background:

Washington is one of the most trade dependent states in the nation; therefore, trade missions are very important to the state's economic development.

Summary of Bill:

Protocols for legislative participation in executive agency trade missions are established.

State trade missions are to be initiated by the executive branch. The director of the agency organizing the trade mission, including the Office of the Governor, will inform, in a timely manner, both houses of the Legislature. The official notice of a trade mission must include: the trade mission's objectives, dates, and expected itinerary; and a description of the type of knowledge, background and experience held by a delegation member that might provide assistance to the trade mission. The agency may request that one of the participating legislators serve as the designated leader of the trade mission.

At least one or more legislators from each caucus of the House of Representatives and the Senate may participate in the trade mission. The agency will be notified of the legislative participants in a timely manner. Legislators possessing business, foreign market, language, cultural expertise or a pertinent interest to the trade mission should be encouraged to participate whenever possible. The legislative participants must assist the trade mission to achieve its stated goals and objectives. The registration fee charged to the legislative participants, including guests and staff, cannot exceed the actual costs associated with their participation in the trade mission. Upon completion of the trade mission, the legislative participants should provide feedback concerning the mission and its results to the organizing agency in a timely manner.

The designated leader of the trade mission should work closely with the agency staff to develop mission protocols and responsibilities as well as define the working relationship with agency staff.

A protocol order of preference is established for an executive agency trade mission. The elected members of the executive branch take precedence over the appointed executive cabinet members, the supreme court, former governors, and the Legislature in participating in trade missions.

Nothing in the resolution is intended to preclude members of the Legislature from participating in a trade mission.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not Requested.