BILL REQ. #:  H-0111.3 

Read first time 01/14/2003.   Referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

     AN ACT Relating to the creation of a joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy; adding a new chapter to Title 44 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that international trade is an important part of Washington's economy with Washington as the fifth largest exporting state in the nation. The legislature further finds that World Trade Organization agreements and the North American Free Trade Agreement have implications for Washington state laws governing agriculture, services, environmental regulation, and economic subsidies. The legislature further finds that future trade agreements such as the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas may also impact Washington state. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to create a joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy to monitor the impact of these trade agreements on Washington state laws, and to provide a mechanism for legislators and citizens to voice their opinions and concerns about the potential impacts of these trade agreements to state and federal government officials.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy is created, to consist of four senators and four representatives from the legislature and three ex officio members. The president of the senate shall appoint the senate members of the committee, and the speaker of the house shall appoint the house members of the committee. No more than two members from each house may be from the same political party. A list of appointees must be submitted by July 1, 2003, and before the close of each regular session during an even-numbered year. Vacancies on the committee will be filled by appointment by the remaining members. All such vacancies must be filled from the same political party and from the same house as the member whose seat was vacated. The ex officio members shall include a representative from the department of agriculture, the state trade representative, and a representative from the office of the attorney general.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The committee shall appoint its own chair and other officers and make rules for orderly procedure.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The committee has the following powers and duties:
     (1) At least once a year, hear public testimony on the actual and potential impacts of international trade agreements and negotiations on Washington state and submit an annual report to the state trade representative's office and to the legislature regarding the public testimony;
     (2) Maintain active communication with the state trade representative's office, the United States trade representative's office, Washington's congressional delegation, the national conference of state legislatures, and any other bodies the committee deems appropriate regarding ongoing developments in international trade agreements and policy;
     (3) Conduct an annual assessment of the impacts of international trade agreements upon Washington law and submit the report to the legislature;
     (4) Examine any aspects of international trade, international economic integration, and trade agreements that the members deem appropriate.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The committee will receive the necessary staff support from both the senate and house staff resources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The members of the committee shall serve without additional compensation, but will be reimbursed for their travel expenses, in accordance with RCW 44.04.120, incurred while attending sessions of the committee or meetings of a subcommittee of the committee, while engaged on other committee business authorized by the committee, and while going to and coming from committee sessions or committee meetings.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Sections 1 through 6 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 44 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   Section 2 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.