BILL REQ. #:  S-1830.1 

Read first time 02/19/2007.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management.

     WHEREAS, The aerospace sector, as the state's largest manufacturing and exporting industry, has made a significant contribution to local, regional, state, and national economies; and
     WHEREAS, Airports of regional significance in both eastern and western Washington have underutilized property and facilities that could become substantial tools for economic development; and
     WHEREAS, An examination is needed to determine how untapped capacity at airports of regional significance can be used to expand manufacturing, research and development, education, and training for the aerospace industry;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That a study of the potential for expanding the presence of aerospace manufacturing and associated research and development, education, and training businesses at airports of regional significance be conducted; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the study include a review of:
     (1) The composition of the current aerospace manufacturing industry in Washington state and significant trends that affect retention, expansion, and recruitment of companies in that industry;
     (2) Aerospace and nonaerospace businesses currently sited at airports of regional significance;
     (3) The inventory of untapped or underutilized capacity at airports of regional significance;
     (4) Types of aerospace manufacturing and associated businesses that could be sited at airports of regional significance;
     (5) Financial and technical resources that are available and those that would be needed; and
     (6) Statutory and regulatory changes required to expand the presence of aerospace manufacturing and associated businesses at airports of regional significance; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the study be conducted by a joint task force of the Senate and the House of Representatives consisting of the following voting members:
     (1) One member from each caucus of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate;
     (2) One member from each caucus of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
     (3) Three members representing the aerospace manufacturing and services industry, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
     (4) Two members representing airport owners and managers, one from eastern Washington and one from western Washington, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
     (5) Two members representing airport business tenants, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
     (6) Two members representing four-year institutions of higher education and work force training at community and technical colleges, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
     (7) Two members representing counties, one from eastern Washington and one from western Washington, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
     (8) Two members from organized labor representing transportation and aerospace workers, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
     (9) Two members representing cities near a regional airport, one from eastern Washington and one from western Washington, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
     (10) One member representing the Federal Aviation Administration, appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall choose bipartisan cochairs from among its legislative membership and request that the departments of transportation and community, trade, and economic development each appoint a representative, who shall be a nonvoting member; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall consult with individuals from the public and private sector, and may ask such persons to establish an advisory committee, and may contract with persons who have specific technical expertise, if such expertise is necessary to carry out the mandates of the study; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That staff support shall be provided by Senate Committee Services and the House Office of Program Research, the task force may use legislative or other public facilities, and the expenses of the task force shall be paid jointly by the Senate and the House of Representatives subject to approval by the Senate Facilities and Operations Committee and the House Executive Rules Committee, or their successor committees; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by June 30, 2008.