Washington State Bill Analysis — HB 2596: Fostering Economic Growth

Summary

A bill analysis from the Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research for the Innovation, Technology & Economic Development Committee, covering HB 2596 on fostering economic growth by supporting emerging businesses in the new space economy. It lists Representatives Boehnke, Kloba, Slatter, Entenman, Hudgins, Steele, Eslick and Santos as sponsors and a hearing date of 1/28/20. The summary says the Department of Commerce is directed to complete a study of public policies that would foster the new space economy, with results and recommendations due to the Legislature by October 31, 2021. It states the appropriation is none and that the bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which it is passed.

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“Washington State Bill Analysis — HB 2596: Fostering Economic Growth.” Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2020-01-29-a26392-d211465-bill-analysis-b081f08c9e/, SHA-256 6b0595d889fe3ac5f1b1fff4ba1756ccf4d7e0308ae6e644be2f8e8c9d5e48aa.

Full text

Washington State                   BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research     ANALYSIS
Innovation, Technology & Economic
Development Committee
                                         HB 2596
Brief Description: Fostering economic growth in Washington by supporting emerging
   businesses in the new space economy.

Sponsors: Representatives Boehnke, Kloba, Slatter, Entenman, Hudgins, Steele, Eslick and
   Santos.


                                      Brief Summary of Bill
       Directs the Department of Commerce (Department) to complete a study of public
        policies that would foster the development of the new space economy and the
        geographic distribution of space economy sector employment and training
        opportunities.
       Requires the Department to submit the results of the study and recommendations to
        grow the new space sector to the Legislature by October 31, 2021.


Hearing Date: 1/28/20

Staff: Kyle Raymond (786-7190).

Background:

The United States Space Force.
The National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 (Act) established a United States Space Force
(USSF) as an armed force within the United States Department of the Air Force (Air Force). The
United States Air Force Space Command is redesignated as the USSF.

The Act authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to transfer all military personnel currently
assigned to the Air Force Space Command and other certain Air Force military personnel to the
USSF.

––––––––––––––––––––––
    This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
    members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it
    constitute a statement of legislative intent.

House Bill Analysis                             -1-                                          HB 2596
The USSF is headed by the Chief of Space Operations, who reports directly to the Secretary of
the Air Force.

The Department of Commerce.
The Department of Commerce (Department) is responsible for growing and improving jobs, as
well as facilitating innovation in the state. The Department provides business assistance and
economic development services primarily through sector-based and cluster-based regional
organizations to: (1) generate greater local capacity to respond to economic growth and
environmental challenges; (2) promote partnerships and the use of intermediaries to achieve the
Department's goals; and (3) leverage state resources.

The Department is responsible for promoting community and economic development statewide
by: (1) assisting communities to increase economic vitality and the quality of citizens' lives; and
(2) assisting the state's businesses to maintain and increase economic competitiveness while
maintaining a healthy environment. The Department's community and economic development
efforts include increasing economic opportunity, engaging in business and trade development,
assisting firms and industrial sectors to increase competitiveness, and facilitating technology
development.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Commerce (Department) is directed to complete a study of public policies
that would foster the development of the new space economy and the geographic distribution of
space economy sector employment and training opportunities.

The Department is also directed to convene an advisory committee to provide information,
advice, and assistance in completing the study. The Department is directed to accept applications
for the advisory committee.

The results of the study must be submitted to the Legislature by October 31, 2021, and the study
must include:
     a ten-year strategy for a bold expansion of trained workforce to support the industry
       sector;
     an evaluation of the state's capacity to: (1) train personnel in the cybersecurity protocols
       necessary for civilian businesses to secure national defense contracts; (2) offer grants and
       incentives to businesses to lower the cost of cybersecurity compliance; and (3) provide
       technical assistance and mentoring to start-up and emerging businesses competing for
       national defense contracts;
     an evaluation of the state's level of investment in federal lobbying or federal liaison
       services related to securing defense and civilian space-related appropriations and
       procurement; and
     an assessment of the infrastructure needs to support the new space sector, and the
       institutional capacity of state agencies and nonprofit organizations to foster economic
       growth in the new space sector.

In addition, the study must be accompanied by recommendations that include the identification
of short-term and long-term action plans for the Legislature to support and sustain a bold vision
for economic growth in the new space sector.

House Bill Analysis                             -2-                                        HB 2596
Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.




House Bill Analysis                            -3-                                         HB 2596

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