Search

Chapter 44.55 RCW

Joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy

RCW Sections

44.55.010Findings -- Intent.
44.55.020Committee membership.
44.55.030Chair -- Officers -- Rules.
44.55.040Powers, duties.
44.55.050Staff support.
44.55.060Compensation.

44.55.010
Findings — Intent.

The legislature finds that international trade is an important part of Washington's economy with Washington as the fifth largest exporting state in the nation. The legislature further finds that World Trade Organization agreements and the North American Free Trade Agreement have implications for Washington state laws governing agriculture, services, environmental regulation, and economic subsidies. The legislature further finds that future trade agreements such as the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas may also impact Washington state. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to create a joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy to monitor the impact of these trade agreements on Washington state laws, and to provide a mechanism for legislators and citizens to voice their opinions and concerns about the potential impacts of these trade agreements to state and federal government officials.

[2003 c 404 § 1.]

44.55.020
Committee membership.

A joint legislative oversight committee on trade policy is created, to consist of four senators and four representatives from the legislature and three ex officio members. The president of the senate shall appoint the senate members of the committee, and the speaker of the house shall appoint the house members of the committee. No more than two members from each house may be from the same political party. A list of appointees must be submitted by July 1, 2003, and before the close of each regular session during an even-numbered year. Vacancies on the committee will be filled by appointment and must be filled from the same political party and from the same house as the member whose seat was vacated. The ex officio members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house and the president of the senate, and include a representative from the department of agriculture, the state trade representative, and a representative from the office of the attorney general.

[2003 c 404 § 2.]

Notes:

     Reviser's note: Substitute House Bill No. 1059, Substitute House Bill No. 1173, and Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 1827 were enacted during the 2003 regular session of the legislature, but were vetoed in part by the governor. A stipulated judgment, No. 03-2-01988-4 filed in the Superior Court of Thurston County, between the governor and the legislature, settled litigation over the governor's use of veto powers and declared the vetoes of SHB 1059, SHB 1173, and ESHB 1827 null and void. Consequently, the text of this section has been returned to the version passed by the legislature prior to the vetoes. For vetoed text and message, see chapter 404, Laws of 2003.

     Effective date -- 2003 c 404 § 2: "Section 2 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [May 20, 2003]." [2003 c 404 § 8.]



44.55.030
Chair — Officers — Rules.

The committee shall appoint its own chair and other officers and make rules for orderly procedure.

[2003 c 404 § 3.]



44.55.040
Powers, duties.

The committee has the following powers and duties:

     (1) At least once a year, hear public testimony on the actual and potential impacts of international trade agreements and negotiations on Washington state and submit an annual report to the state trade representative's office and to the legislature regarding the public testimony;

     (2) 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 any other bodies the committee deems appropriate regarding ongoing developments in international trade agreements and policy;

     (3) Conduct an annual assessment of the impacts of international trade agreements upon Washington law and submit the report to the legislature;

     (4) Examine any aspects of international trade, international economic integration, and trade agreements that the members deem appropriate.

[2003 c 404 § 4.]



44.55.050
Staff support.

The committee will receive the necessary staff support from both the senate committee services and the house office of program research.

[2003 c 404 § 5.]



44.55.060
Compensation.

The members of the committee shall serve without additional compensation, but are entitled to receive per diem, mileage, and incidental expense allowances at the rates provided in chapter 44.04 RCW.

[2003 c 404 § 6.]