BILL REQ. #:  S-1393.1 

Read first time 02/07/2007.   Referred to Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Management.

     AN ACT Relating to selecting economic benchmarks; and amending RCW 82.33A.005, 82.33A.010, and 82.33A.020.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 82.33A.005 and 1996 c 152 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     The citizens of Washington should enjoy a high quality of life, which requires a healthy state economy. To achieve this goal, the legislature recognizes that the state must be able to compete economically at a national and international level. It is critical to the economic well-being of the citizens of this state that the legislature strive to continually improve the state's economic climate. ((Therefore,)) The legislature intends to provide a benchmarking mechanism whereby the information necessary to achieve this goal is available on a timely and reliable basis.

Sec. 2   RCW 82.33A.010 and 1998 c 245 s 168 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The economic climate council is hereby created.
     (2) The council shall, in consultation with the Washington economic development commission, select a series of ((no more than ten)) benchmarks that characterize the competitive environment of the state. The benchmarks should be indicators of the cost of doing business; the education and skills of the work force; a sound infrastructure; and the quality of life. In selecting the appropriate benchmarks, the council shall use the following criteria:
     (a) The availability of comparative information for other states and countries;
     (b) The timeliness with which benchmark information can be obtained; and
     (c) The accuracy and validity of the benchmarks in measuring the economic climate indicators named in this section.
     (3) Each year the council shall prepare an official state economic climate report on the present status of benchmarks, changes in the benchmarks since the previous report, and the reasons for the changes. The reports shall include current benchmark comparisons with other states and countries, and an analysis of factors related to the benchmarks that may affect the ability of the state to compete economically at the national and international level.
     (4) All agencies of state government shall provide to the council immediate access to all information relating to economic climate reports.

Sec. 3   RCW 82.33A.020 and 1996 c 152 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (((1))) The economic climate council shall ((create an advisory committee to assist the council)) consult with the Washington economic development commission in selecting benchmarks and developing economic climate reports and benchmarks. The ((advisory committee)) commission shall provide for a process to ensure public participation in the selection of the benchmarks. ((The advisory committee shall consist of no more than seven members. At least two of the members of the advisory committee shall have experience in and represent business, and at least two of the members shall have experience in and represent labor. All of the members of the advisory committee shall have special expertise and interest in the state's economic climate and competitive strategies. Appointments to the advisory committee shall be recommended by the chair of the council and approved by a two-thirds vote of the council. The chair of the advisory committee shall be selected by the members of the committee.
     (2) The advisory committee shall meet as determined by the chair of the committee until September 30, 1996, and shall meet at least twice per year thereafter in advance of the economic climate reports due on March 31st and September 30th of each year.
     (3) Members of the advisory council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 while attending meetings of the advisory committee, sessions of the economic climate council, or on official business authorized by the council.))