AN ACT Relating to international trade; adding
a new section to chapter 44.52 RCW; creating new sections; and providing an
expiration date.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.
The legislature finds that the expansion of international trade is vital to the
economy of Washington state. International trade-related activities currently
account for approximately twenty percent of employment in this state even
though only a small percentage of businesses do extensive exporting.
Washington's long-term economic prosperity depends on the creation and
retention of jobs that international trade provides through providing an
expanded marketplace for goods and services produced in this state. Increasing
the number of businesses exporting and the foreign markets accessed helps
diversify the state economy and make the state's businesses more competitive by
providing experience in the international marketplace. There are many
international markets that offer export potential for Washington businesses
that are not currently being accessed, particularly several Pacific Rim
countries. The legislature also finds that there presently exists several
programs and initiatives by federal, state, and local governments that have to
be coordinated effectively within and among economic development organizations,
state agencies, academic institutions, and businesses so as to enhance the sale
of goods and services in foreign markets.
The legislature further finds that a strategy
to expand international trade must be integrated into a comprehensive long-term
economic development plan, and that the expertise of the private sector can
enhance the joint strategic planning efforts of the governor, executive agencies,
and the legislature.
Therefore, the legislature declares that an
important public purpose can be accomplished through an international trade
council that, through coordination and advice, can facilitate increased
exporting by Washington businesses.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A
new section is added to chapter 44.52 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The council on international trade is
established. The council shall consist of fifteen members as follows:
(a) Two members of trade organizations,
appointed by the governor;
(b) Two representatives of ports, appointed by
the governor;
(c) Two representatives of businesses active in
exporting goods, appointed by the governor;
(d) Three representatives from the
executive-legislative committee on economic development created in chapter
. . . (Senate Bill No. 5300), Laws of 1993;
(e) Two members with experience in foreign
marketing, appointed by the governor;
(f) Two experts in financing export
transactions, appointed by the governor;
(g) The director of the department of trade and
economic development or the director's designee; and
(h) The director of the department of
agriculture or the director's designee.
(2) Nonlegislative members may receive
reimbursement from the governor's office for travel under RCW 43.03.050 and
43.03.060. Legislative members may be reimbursed under RCW 41.04.300.
(3) The council shall:
(a) Advise the executive-legislative committee
on economic development regarding policies, programs, and activities to enhance
the exporting of Washington goods and services to international markets;
(b) Review current state export targeting
efforts and advise the executive-legislative committee on economic development
regarding markets with potential that currently are not being emphasized;
(c) Assist in the coordination of public export
programs state-wide;
(d) Identify for the executive-legislative
committee on economic development current and long-term international trade
issues that need to be addressed by the state in its long-term economic
development plan;
(e) Recommend methods to increase the awareness
of international trade, especially its opportunities and its importance,
throughout the state;
(f) Study the impact of the Uruguay round of
the general agreement on tariffs and trade and the north american free trade
agreement on the state's small manufacturing and export firms, focusing on the
competitive threats and opportunities presented by the trade agreements to the
state's six most significant traded sectors as measured by the number of
employees in the sector and the aggregate dollar volume of goods and services
traded in the sector. The counsel shall identify and utilize existing
analyses, studies, and data from the federal government, national and state
business and labor organizations, and educational and policy institutes.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.
The council may accept gifts, grants, donations, devises, and bequests to
facilitate the work of the council.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.
The council shall make a preliminary report to the executive-legislative
committee on economic development on its activities by June 1, 1994, and make a
final report by December 1, 1994.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.
This act shall expire on June 30, 1995.
