READ FIRST TIME 02/28/03.   

     AN ACT Relating to establishing the Washington state economic development commission to replace the governor's small business improvement council; adding a new section to chapter 43.175 RCW; and repealing RCW 43.175.010, 43.175.020, and 43.175.901.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.175 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The Washington state economic development commission is established to oversee the economic development strategies and policies of the department of community, trade, and economic development.
     (2) The Washington state economic development commission shall consist of at least eleven and no more than fifteen members appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation of the senate.
     (a) In making the appointments, the governor shall consult with organizations that have an interest in economic development, including, but not limited to, associations, labor organizations, minority business associations, tribes, and the chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over economic development.
     (b) No member may serve more than one year without senate confirmation.
     (c) The governor shall select the chair.
     (d) The members serve at the pleasure of the governor for six-year terms. Of the initial members, three must be appointed for two-year terms, three must be appointed for four-year terms, and the remainder must be appointed for six-year terms. Thereafter, members must be appointed for six-year terms.
     (e) The members shall represent eastern Washington, central Washington, southwest Washington, the peninsula, central Puget Sound, and northern Puget Sound and reflect the state's various business sectors.
     (f) The members shall represent the broad geographic and ethnic diversity of the state, embody the importance of businesswomen, and reflect the state's various business and labor sectors. Members of the commission shall serve statewide interests while preserving their diverse perspectives, and shall be recognized leaders in their fields with demonstrated experience in disciplines related to economic development.
     (g) At least seven members must be selected from private businesses within Washington state, with at least two of those members representing small businesses.
     (h) The members must include two senators and two representatives from the legislature. The president of the senate shall appoint the senate members of the commission, and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the house of representatives members of the commission. There should be representation from each of the two largest political parties in the senate and the house of representatives. Vacancies will be filled from the same political party and the same house as the member whose seat was vacated. The appointment process for the vacancy will be accomplished in the same manner as the initial appointment.
     (3) The Washington state economic development commission shall perform the following duties:
     (a) Review and periodically update the state's economic development strategy and performance measures, and perform an annual evaluation of the strategy;
     (b) Provide policy direction to the department of community, trade, and economic development;
     (c) Identify policies and programs to assist Washington's small businesses;
     (d) Assist the department of community, trade, and economic development with the procurement and deployment of private funds for business development, recruitment, and promotion; and
     (e) Provide planning and strategic and programmatic direction to the department of community, trade, and economic development, with specific emphasis on the following:
     (i) Development of strategies that promote business retention, expansion, and creation within the state;
     (ii) Development of strategies that promote the growth and success of Washington's small businesses;
     (iii) Development of marketing strategies for the global marketplace that promote products and services of the state; and
     (iv) Development of strategies to enhance relationships and cooperation between local governments, economic development councils, state agencies, and the legislature.
     (4) Staffing for the Washington state economic development commission shall be provided by the department of community, trade, and economic development or other state agencies as appropriate, and within existing resources and operations.
     (5) Creation of the Washington state economic development commission shall not be construed to modify any authority or budgetary responsibility of the governor or the department of community, trade, and economic development.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 43.175.010 (Governor's small business improvement council -- Established -- Membership -- Travel expenses -- Staff support and administrative assistance) and 1987 c 348 s 6, 1985 c 466 s 62, & 1984 c 282 s 7;
     (2) RCW 43.175.020 (Duties) and 1998 c 245 s 53, 1987 c 348 s 7, 1985 c 466 s 63, & 1984 c 282 s 8; and
     (3) RCW 43.175.901 (Severability -- 1984 c 282) and 1984 c 282 s 17.