HB 1173-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Declares that the additional purpose of the office of the Washington state trade representative is to: (1) Review and analyze proposed international trade agreements to assess their impact on goods and services produced by Washington businesses; and

(2) Inform the legislature about ongoing trade negotiations, trade development, and the possible impacts on Washington's economy.

Provides that the office shall: (1) Work with the department of community, trade, and economic development, the department of agriculture, and other appropriate state agencies, and within the agencies' existing resources, review and analyze proposed and enacted international trade agreements and provide an assessment of the impact of the proposed or enacted agreement on Washington's businesses and firms;

(2) Provide input to the office of the United States trade representative in the development of international trade, commodity, and direct investment policies that reflect the concerns of the state of Washington;

(3) Serve as liaison to the legislature on matters of trade policy oversight including, but not limited to, updates to the legislature regarding the status of trade negotiations, trade litigation, and the impacts of trade policy on Washington state businesses;

(4) Work with the international trade division of the department of community, trade, and economic development and the international marketing program of the Washington state department of agriculture to develop a statewide strategy designed to increase the export of Washington goods and services, particularly goods and services from small and medium-sized businesses; and

(5) Conduct other activities the governor deems necessary to promote international trade and foreign investment within the state.

Authorizes the office of the Washington state trade representative to accept or request grants or gifts from citizens and other private sources to be used to defray the costs of appropriate hosting of foreign dignitaries, including appropriate gift-giving and reciprocal gift-giving, or other activities of the office.

VETO MESSAGE ON HB 1173-S

May 16, 2003

To the Honorable Speaker and Members,

The House of Representatives of the State of Washington

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am returning herewith, without my approval as to section 2(3) Substitute House Bill No. 1173 entitled:

"AN ACT Relating to the office of the Washington state trade representative;"

This bill expands and clarifies the duties of the Washington State Trade Representative.

Subsection (3) of section 2 requires the Office of the Washington State Trade Representative to submit an annual report. While I have no objection to the other amendments in this section, the ongoing reporting requirement is unnecessary given the coordination prescribed by the bill.

For these reasons, I have vetoed section 2(3) of Substitute House Bill No. 1173.

With the exception of section 2(3), Substitute House Bill No. 1173 is approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Gary Locke

Governor