Report - 2024 02 20 A31985 D270714 Bill Report 2000 S2 E Sbr Bfgt Ta 24

Summary

A Senate Bill Report on E2SHB 2000, an act relating to renewing Washington's international leadership, prepared as of February 15, 2024 for the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade. It records that the bill passed the House on February 9, 2024 by a vote of 65-32 and was sponsored by the House Committee on Appropriations. The background describes the Office of International Relations and Protocol (OIRP) and the Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR). The summary of the bill requires OIRP to complete a strategic international engagement plan by July 1, 2025, updates its authority and duties, moves the designation of 15 foreign jurisdictions of strategic importance to OIRP and LCEDIR, and creates an Interparliamentary Exchange with British Columbia. The report closes with a summary of supporting public testimony.

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                             SENATE BILL REPORT
                                 E2SHB 2000

                                      As of February 15, 2024

Title: An act relating to renewing Washington's international leadership.

Brief Description: Renewing Washington's international leadership.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Mena,
    Berry, Ramel, Low, Walen, Ryu, Timmons, Reed, Cheney, Nance, Cortes, Santos and
    Hackney).

Brief History: Passed House: 2/9/24, 65-32.
     Committee Activity: Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade: 2/15/24.


                                      Brief Summary of Bill
           • Establishes new and modified statutory duties and expands authority of
             the Office of International Relations and Protocol (OIRP).
           • Requires OIRP to develop a strategic international engagement plan.
           • Establishes that the OIRP and the Legislative Committee on Economic
             Development and International Relations (LCEDIR) is responsible for
             determining jurisdictions of strategic importance.
           • Creates an Interparliamentary Exchange with British Columbia, led by
             LCEDIR.


SENATE COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, FINANCIAL SERVICES, GAMING & TRADE

     Staff: Kellee Gunn (786-7429)

     Background: The Office of International Relations and Protocol. The Office of
     International Relations and Protocol (OIRP), under the Office of the Governor, was created
     by legislation in 1991. It serves as the state's official liaison and protocol office with foreign




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

Senate Bill Report                               -1-                                      E2SHB 2000
     governments. The OIRP may create temporary advisory committees to deal with specific
     international issues. The OIRP is led by a director, appointed by the Governor.

     Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations. The
     Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations (LCEDIR)
     was created by legislation in 1985. It studies and reviews economic development issues
     with a special emphasis in international trade, tourism, investment, and industrial
     development, and assisting the Legislature in developing a comprehensive and consistent
     economic development policy. LCEDIR is led by the Lieutenant Governor and consists of
     12 legislative members, six from each chamber, each equally representing the two caucuses.

     Funding for LCEDIR travel costs, excluding lodging and travel, may come from the
     Legislative International Trade Account (Account). Authorization for expenditure requires
     the signed approval of the Chief Clerk of the House, the Secretary of the Senate, and the
     President of the Senate—Lieutenant Governor. Expenses incurred by LCEDIR, including
     salaries and expenses of employees, must be paid through voucher forms and signed by the
     chairperson or vice chairperson of the committee and attested by the secretary of the
     committee.

     Summary of Bill: The Office of International Relations and Protocol. Strategic Plan. The
     OIRP must develop a strategic international engagement plan to guide Washington State's
     international engagement and economic development. The OIRP may consult with relevant
     public and private entities when developing a plan. A complete strategic plan must be
     completed by July 1, 2025. Every two and a half years, the strategic plan must undergo a
     review to measure progress and outcomes with an update every five years.

     Authority. The OIRP's authority is updated. The OIRP may:
        • create advisory committees as necessary;
        • designate foreign jurisdictions, such as national governments, subnational
          governments, and international organizations, as jurisdictions of strategic importance;
          and
        • establish procedures and requirements for operations and expenditures to support and
          enhance state government partnerships and relationships with foreign jurisdictions.

     Duties. The OIRP is required to advise and coordinate with certain elected officials on
     international developments pertaining to the state as well as support engagement between
     foreign governments, build government-to-government relationships, coordinate protocol
     for visiting foreign dignitaries, designate an international engagement advisory committee,
     assist institutions of higher education in implementing international programs, improve
     coordination with the Washington Tourism Authority, and establish an international
     exchange between the state and British Columbia.

     Countries of Strategic Importance. The duty to determine 15 foreign jurisdictions of
     strategic importance to the development and diversification of Washington State's


Senate Bill Report                            -2-                                    E2SHB 2000
     international relations is moved from the Department of Commerce to OIRP and LCEDIR.
     Certain factors must be considered when designating such jurisdictions including
     partnership in key industrial sectors, the presence of international trade offices or other
     program-based engagement conducted by state agencies, and historic or existing bilateral
     agreements, among others. A foreign jurisdiction cannot be considered a country of
     strategic importance if it is subject to U.S. government sanctions for, or has been identified
     by the U.S. Department of State as being engaged in, state-sponsored terrorism.

     The Legislative Committee on Economic Development and International Relations.
     Interparliamentary Exchange with British Columbia. Under the general provisions of the
     Legislature, an Interparliamentary Exchange with British Columbia is created, represented
     by the chair of LCEDIR. The purpose is to facilitate legislator-to-legislator communication
     between the two governments. LCEDIR is also required to cooperate, act, and function with
     similar entities from the provinces and territories of Canada.

     Appropriation: None.

     Fiscal Note: Available.

     Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

     Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

     Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: It is time to update these statutes for the 21st
     century. This policy area is why Washington State is considered a leader in international
     relations. This bill will better position the State to engage the world, and the tools and
     resources needed to engage with international partners. This bill will help OIRP and
     LCEDIR fulfil their statutory duties.

     Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Sharlett Mena, Prime Sponsor; Geoffrey Potter,
     Office of Governor Jay Inslee.

     Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.




Senate Bill Report                             -3-                                     E2SHB 2000


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