HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SSB 5007

BYSenate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Lee, McMullen, Anderson, Conner and Johnson)

Establishing the international marketing internship program.

House Committe on Trade & Economic Development

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Cantwell, Chair; Wineberry, Vice Chair; Doty, Ranking Republican Member; G. Fisher, Kremen, Moyer, Raiter, Rasmussen, Rector, Schoon and Tate.

House Staff:Charlie Gavigan (786-7340)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

FEBRUARY 21, 1990

BACKGROUND:

State government participates in internship programs that assist in the education of students in a particular field.

SUMMARY:

An international marketing internship program is established in the Department of Trade and Economic Development.  The program shall provide interns with on-the-job training.  Up to 15 internships per year will be provided, with the department paying up to 50 percent ($10,000 maximum) of the yearly stipend.  Interns will be granted credit from an institution of higher learning.  Internships are for a one-year period.  To participate, an intern must be a resident, a college senior or recent graduate in a relevant field, and submit an application.

The interns will be assigned to private sector companies or nonprofit, trade-related organizations.  Firms must have been in business for at least one year, have at least $100,000 in export sales annually, offer products or services with at least 50 percent of their value derived from within the state, have personnel and facilities to provide challenging training, be able to provide post-internship employment, create a new position for the intern, and provide overseas experience.

One-third of the interns will be allocated to the Department of Agriculture for placement.  The bill is made contingent on funding in the budget.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Eleanor Lee, Prime Sponsor of Original Bill.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This bill will increase international trade for Washington businesses, and will provide on-the-job training to college seniors or recent graduates.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.