Duties — Biennial comprehensive statewide economic development strategy — Report — Biennial budget request — Memorandum of understanding — Performance evaluation — Gifts, grants, donations.

(1) The commission must concentrate its major efforts on strategic planning, policy research and analysis, advocacy, evaluation, and promoting coordination and collaboration.

     (2) During each regular legislative session, the commission must consult with appropriate legislative committees about the state's economic development needs and opportunities.

     (3)(a) By October 1st of each even-numbered year, the commission must submit to the governor and legislature a biennial comprehensive statewide economic development strategy with a report on progress from the previous comprehensive strategy.

     (b) The comprehensive statewide economic development strategy must include the industry clusters in the state and the strategic clusters targeted by the commission for economic development efforts. The commission must consult with the workforce training and education coordinating board and include labor market and economic information by the employment security department in developing the list of clusters and strategic clusters that meet the criteria identified by the working group convened by the economic development commission and the workforce training and education coordinating board under chapter 43.330 RCW.

     (4)(a) In developing the comprehensive statewide economic development strategy, the commission must use, but may not be limited to: Economic, labor market, and populations trend reports in office of financial management forecasts; the annual state economic climate report prepared by the economic climate council; joint office of financial management and employment security department labor force, industry employment, and occupational forecasts; the results of scientifically based outcome evaluations; the needs of industry associations, industry clusters, businesses, and employees as evidenced in formal surveys and other input.

     (b) The comprehensive statewide economic development strategy may include:

     (i) An assessment of the state's economic vitality;

     (ii) Recommended goals, objectives, and priorities for the next biennium, and the future;

     (iii) A common set of outcomes and benchmarks for the economic development system as a whole;

     (iv) Recommendations for removing barriers and promoting collaboration among participants in the innovation ecosystem;

     (v) An inventory of existing relevant programs compiled by the commission from materials submitted by agencies;

     (vi) Recommendations for expanding, discontinuing, or redirecting existing programs, or adding new programs; and

     (vii) Recommendations of best practices and public and private sector roles in implementing the comprehensive statewide economic development strategy.

     (c) The report on progress from the previous comprehensive strategy must include information provided by associate development organizations as requested by the commission. The commission may include recommendations for associate development organizations in the report on progress or in the comprehensive statewide economic development strategy.

     (5) In developing the biennial statewide economic development strategy, plans, inventories, assessments, and policy research, the commission must consult, collaborate, and coordinate with relevant state agencies, private sector businesses, nonprofit organizations involved in economic development, trade associations, associate development organizations, and relevant local organizations in order to avoid duplication of effort.

     (6) State agencies and associate development organizations must cooperate with the commission and provide information as the commission may reasonably request.

     (7) The commission must develop a biennial budget request for approval by the office of financial management. The commission must adopt an annual budget and work plan in accordance with the omnibus appropriations bill approved by the legislature.

     (8)(a) The commission and its fiscal agent must jointly develop and adopt a memorandum of understanding to outline and establish clear lines of authority and responsibility between them related to budget and administrative services.

     (b) The memorandum of understanding may not provide any additional grant of authorities to the commission or the fiscal agent that is not already provided for by statute, nor diminish any authorities or powers granted to either party by statute.

     (c) Periodically, but not less often than biannually, the commission and fiscal agent must review the memorandum of understanding and, if necessary, recommend changes to the other party.

     (d) As provided generally under RCW 43.162.015, the executive director of the commission must report solely to the governor and the commissioners on matters pertaining to commission operations.

     (9) To maintain its objectivity and concentration on strategic planning, policy research and analysis, and evaluation, the commission may not take an administrative role in the delivery of services. However, subject to available resources and consistent with its work plan, the commission or the executive director may conduct outreach activities such as regional forums and best practices seminars.

     (10) The commission must evaluate its own performance on a regular basis.

     (11) The commission may accept gifts, grants, donations, sponsorships, or contributions from any federal, state, or local governmental agency or program, or any private source, and expend the same for any purpose consistent with this chapter.

[2012 c 195 § 3; 2011 c 311 § 5; 2009 c 151 § 9; 2007 c 232 § 4; 2003 c 235 § 3.]