H. B. 3201

(By Delegates Mezzatesta, Stemple,
Williams, Shaver, Frederick and Cann)
[Introduced March 30, 2001; referred to the

Committee on Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business then Government Organization.]

A BILL to amend article two, chapter five-b of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section fourteen, relating to requiring the West Virginia development office to report on international trade in West Virginia and how preferential trade status given to other countries affects industries within West Virginia; and requiring recommendations concerning actions the Legislature may take to improve the chances of survival of West Virginia industries.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article two, chapter five-b of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section fourteen, to read as follows:

§5B-2-14. Study on international trade.
The development office shall conduct a study and submit a report to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance by the first day of December, two thousand one, by filing it with the legislative librarian, which includes all of the following:
(1) A survey of all business, industry and agriculture related international trade activities in this state. The survey shall include the types of businesses and the products involved in international trade and the estimated costs and revenues resulting from the trade;
(2) A list of specific targets and targeted opportunities for business, industry and agriculture related to international trade activities in this state. These targets shall include the types of businesses and the products that are currently involved in international trade, as well as the types of businesses and the products that could potentially become involved in international trade in the future; and
(3) An analysis of how international trade status given to other countries affects industries within West Virginia and recommendations concerning actions the Legislature may take to improve the chances of survival of West Virginia industries.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the West Virginia Development Office to report on international trade in West Virginia and

This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.