Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Technology & Economic Development Committee

HB 2528

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

The Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.

The Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR) provides involvement by the Legislature in economic development to maintain a healthy state economy and to provide employment opportunities to Washington residents. The LCEDIR is comprised of six Senators and six Representatives and is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor. Staff support is provided by Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research.

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy.

The Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy (JLOCTP) monitors the impact of international trade agreements on Washington state laws and provides a mechanism for legislators and citizens to voice their opinions and concerns about the potential impacts of trade agreements to state and federal government officials. The JLOCTP is comprised of four Senators and four Representatives and three ex-officio members. Staff support is provided by Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research.

Summary of Bill:

The statutes establishing the LCEDIR and the JLOCTP are repealed. The duties of the two committees are consolidated into a newly created Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Economic Development, Trade Policy, and International Relations (Committee).

The Committee is comprised of six Senators and six Representatives and is chaired by the Lieutenant Governor. The Senators, three from each of the two largest political parties, will be appointed by the President of the Senate and must sit on the Senate economic development committee. The Representatives, three from each of the two largest political parties, will be appointed by the Speaker of the House and must sit on the House economic development committee. Two members from the Senate and two members from the House must be the chair and ranking minority members of the economic development committee of their respective chambers. The chairs of the House and Senate economic development committees alternate between serving as first and second vice chairs on an annual basis.

The Committee must at a minimum establish subcommittees on economic development and international trade. The Committee must meet at least once per year to study and review issues such as:

the cost-effectiveness of existing state policies, laws, and programs that promote or affect economic development and the level of cooperation with other public and private agencies;
the actual and potential impacts of international trade agreements and negotiations on Washington; and
the need for and effect of federal, regional, and state cooperation in economic development policies and programs.

The Committee must submit an annual report to the state trade representative's office and to the Legislature providing recommendations on state support based on findings from public testimony on the actual and potential impacts of international trade agreements and negotiations on the state. The Committee must also 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 with any other bodies deemed appropriate by the Committee.

Staff support will be provided by Senate Committee Services and the Office of Program Research.