BILL REQ. #:  S-4317.1 

READ FIRST TIME 01/31/12.   

     AN ACT Relating to an interagency work group on establishing a single portal for Washington businesses; and adding a new section to chapter 43.41A RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.41A RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The chief information officer must convene an interagency work group to review business community needs and evaluate technical options for an integrated enterprise system using a single portal, accessible through the internet, to:
     (a) Allow access to state government records;
     (b) Permit the electronic filing of all documents required by a state agency;
     (c) Permit the payment of all taxes and fees;
     (d) Provide information, services, and resources for:
     (i) Starting, expanding, and operating a business in Washington or relocating a business within or to Washington;
     (ii) Understanding state and local government rules, ordinances, and policies that apply to business;
     (iii) Registering, licensing, and obtaining needed permits for a business;
     (iv) Obtaining information about and assistance with exporting, public contracting, hiring, and training; and
     (v) Obtaining information about financing and tax credits available to businesses; and
     (e) Enable convenient access to information from all agencies of state government that have functions related to business registration, licensing, permitting, or taxation or that otherwise can provide information for or assist with establishing, expanding, operating, or relocating a business.
     (2) The work group must examine the potential for:
     (a) Private sector involvement in establishing and providing access to the portal; and
     (b) Lowering costs through private sector delivery of the portal and attendant services.
     (3) In addition to the office of the chief information officer, the work group must consist of representatives from the departments of revenue, commerce, ecology, employment security, enterprise services, health, labor and industries, licensing, and any other such agencies, as determined appropriate by the chief information officer.
     (4)(a) The work group must:
     (i) Commence its work by May 1, 2012; and
     (ii) Provide a report with a proposed implementation plan to the governor and legislature by September 30, 2012.
     (b) The report under (a) of this subsection must set forth a timeline for action and specify resources needed and the parties responsible for implementation.