PENNSYLVANIA EXPORT PARTNERSHIP ACT — 1992 Pa. Act 130 (historical enacted text)

Historical Act text

HOUSE AMENDED
PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1601 PRINTER'S NO. 2602
INTRODUCED BY SHAFFER, MUSTO, HOPPER, TILGHMAN, BELAN, WENGER,
STAPLETON, JUBELIRER, CORMAN, SALVATORE, SCHWARTZ, O'PAKE,
HELFRICK, HART, BAKER, MADIGAN, ROBBINS, ANDREZESKI,
AFFLERBACH AND RHOADES, OCTOBER 15, 1991
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS AND COMMERCE, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 17, 1992
AN ACT
1 Establishing the Pennsylvania International Trade Council and <--
2 conferring powers and duties upon it.
3 ESTABLISHING THE PENNSYLVANIA EXPORT PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD <--
4 AND PROVIDING FOR ITS POWERS AND DUTIES; DIRECTING THE
5 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TO DEVELOP CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL
6 MARKETING INITIATIVES; AUTHORIZING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
7 TO PARTICIPATE IN AND ACCEPT CONTRIBUTIONS FOR CERTAIN TRADE
8 DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES IN COOPERATION WITH OTHER
9 NONGOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES; ESTABLISHING THE TRADE EVENT GRANT
10 PROGRAM AND THE REGIONAL EXPORT MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM; AND
11 PROVIDING FOR ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
12 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
13 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES AS FOLLOWS:
14 (1) THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE IS VITAL TO
15 THE MAINTENANCE AND GROWTH OF THIS COMMONWEALTH'S ECONOMY IN
16 THAT IT CONTRIBUTES TO THE CREATION AND RETENTION OF JOBS BY
17 OFFERING A GREATER MARKETPLACE FOR GOODS PRODUCED IN THIS
18 COMMONWEALTH, STRENGTHENING THE ABILITY OF COMMONWEALTH
19 BUSINESSES TO COMPETE IN THE GLOBAL MARKET AND PROVIDING
20 SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE BY
21 MANUFACTURERS, FINANCING INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER BUSINESS
1 SERVICES SO THAT BUSINESSES MAY MORE EASILY AND QUICKLY
2 PENETRATE FOREIGN MARKETS WITH NEW PRODUCTS.
3 (2) SMALL-SIZED AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES HAVE NOT
4 REALIZED THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THEIR EXPORT MARKETS BECAUSE
5 THEY DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES TO MARKET, TRANSPORT AND
6 FINANCE THE SALE OF GOODS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
7 (3) SMALL-SIZED AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES ARE OFTEN
8 RELUCTANT TO SEND PERSONNEL TO FOREIGN TRADE SHOWS AND OTHER
9 MARKETING EVENTS BECAUSE OF THE COST OF TRAVEL AND THE
10 UNCERTAINTY OF RESULT.
11 (4) THERE PRESENTLY EXIST VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND
12 INITIATIVES BY FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT HAVE
13 TO BE COORDINATED EFFECTIVELY WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
14 ORGANIZATIONS, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND BUSINESSES SO AS TO
15 ENHANCE THE SALE OF GOODS AND SERVICES IN FOREIGN MARKETS.
16 (5) THIS COMMONWEALTH'S INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROGRAMS CAN
17 BE MORE EFFECTIVELY ADMINISTERED BY COOPERATING WITH LOCAL
18 ORGANIZATIONS TO EXPAND THEIR OUTREACH TO BUSINESSES AND BY
19 BUILDING REGIONAL EXPORT INITIATIVES TO ALLOW COMMONWEALTH
20 BUSINESSES TO ENHANCE THEIR ACCESS TO INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
21 (6) THE MOST EFFICIENT MEANS OF PROMOTING THE
22 DEVELOPMENT OF EXPORT TRADE BY BUSINESSES LOCATED WITHIN THIS
23 COMMONWEALTH IS THROUGH A COOPERATIVE EFFORT, INCLUDING THE
24 SHARING OF EXPENSES, RESOURCES AND INFORMATION, BY AND AMONG
25 THE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES,
26 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS.
27 (7) IT IS, THEREFORE, HEREBY DECLARED TO BE THE POLICY
28 OF THIS COMMONWEALTH TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE OF ITS
29 INHABITANTS BY PROMOTING THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES OF ITS
30 INHABITANTS TO EXPORT GOODS IN FOREIGN MARKETS BY THE
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1 CREATION OF THE FOLLOWING:
2 (I) AN ADVISORY BOARD TO BE KNOWN AS THE
3 PENNSYLVANIA EXPORT PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD WHICH
4 SHALL EXIST AND FUNCTION FOR THE PUBLIC PURPOSE OF
5 PROMOTING THE SALE OF COMMONWEALTH-MANUFACTURED GOODS AND
6 SERVICES IN FOREIGN MARKETS.
7 (II) A PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE TRADE EVENT GRANT
8 PROGRAM WHICH SHALL PROVIDE CERTAIN GRANTS TO ENCOURAGE
9 SMALL-SIZED AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES IN THIS
10 COMMONWEALTH TO HAVE THEIR PERSONNEL ATTEND INTERNATIONAL
11 TRADE EVENTS.
12 (III) A PROGRAM KNOWN AS THE REGIONAL EXPORT
13 MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM WHICH SHALL PROVIDE GRANTS TO
14 ASSIST AND ENCOURAGE THE OPERATION OF REGIONAL EXPORT
15 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. THIS PURPOSE IS HEREBY DECLARED TO
16 BE A PUBLIC PURPOSE FOR WHICH PUBLIC MONEY MAY BE SPENT.
17 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
18 hereby enacts as follows:
19 Section 1. Short title. <--
20 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
21 International Trade Council Act.
22 Section 2. Declaration of policy.
23 The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
24 (1) The development of international trade is vital to
25 the maintenance and continued growth of a healthy economy for
26 this Commonwealth.
27 (2) An increase in exports from this Commonwealth would
28 benefit this Commonwealth and, ultimately, this Nation by
29 improving the United States' balance of trade.
30 (3) Various states have utilized, or are preparing to
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1 utilize, the resources of state governments to stimulate,
2 facilitate and promote international exports.
3 (4) Competition among businesses and countries will
4 endure and intensify as more countries seek to expand their
5 international export capacities.
6 (5) Financial assistance offered by the Federal
7 Government to small-size and medium-size exporters is
8 insufficient to meet the competition offered by foreign
9 countries.
10 (6) Small-size and medium-size companies seeking to
11 enter foreign markets face severe problems in obtaining
12 financing for their transactions.
13 (7) The Commonwealth has a responsibility to create
14 employment opportunities by encouraging and stimulating the
15 development of international export sales and markets by
16 Pennsylvania companies.
17 (8) This Commonwealth has a skilled labor force whose
18 members produce manufactured and agricultural goods, high
19 technology services and other services. These services are
20 marketable in foreign countries.
21 Section 3. Definitions.
22 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
23 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
24 context clearly indicates otherwise:
25 "Council." The Pennsylvania International Trade Council
26 established under this act.
27 "Department." The Department of Commerce of the
28 Commonwealth.
29 "Secretary." The Secretary of Commerce of the Commonwealth.
30 Section 4. Council.
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1 (a) Establishment.--The Pennsylvania International Trade
2 Council is hereby established.
3 (b) Membership.--The council shall consist of 15 members:
4 (1) Seven government members:
5 (i) Three executive members:
6 (A) The secretary.
7 (B) The Secretary of Banking.
8 (C) The Secretary of Agriculture.
9 (ii) Four legislative members:
10 (A) Two members of the House of Representatives.
11 One member shall be appointed by the Speaker of the
12 House of Representatives, and one member shall be
13 appointed by the Minority Leader.
14 (B) Two members of the Senate. One member shall
15 be appointed by the President pro tempore, and one
16 member shall be appointed by the Minority Leader.
17 (2) Eight public members appointed by the Governor
18 subject to the consent of a majority of the members elected
19 to the Senate. At least one public member must be a
20 representative of a small-size to medium-size manufacturing
21 company. The remaining public members must be professionals
22 in any of the following fields:
23 (i) Agriculture.
24 (ii) International banking and financial services.
25 (iii) Foreign trade zones.
26 (iv) International trade associations.
27 (v) Industrial labor relations.
28 (vi) Export-related services.
29 (vii) Large corporate enterprise.
30 (viii) International transportation.
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1 (ix) Private international law.
2 (x) International business education.
3 (c) Terms.--
4 (1) Executive members under subsection (b)(1)(i) shall
5 serve ex officio.
6 (2) Legislative members under subsection (b)(1)(ii)
7 shall serve terms of two years.
8 (3) The following apply to public members under
9 subsection (b)(2):
10 (i) For initial appointments:
11 (A) Two members shall serve terms of one year.
12 (B) Two members shall serve terms of two years.
13 (C) Two members shall serve terms of three
14 years.
15 (D) Two members shall serve terms of four years.
16 (ii) For subsequent appointments, each member shall
17 serve a term of four years.
18 (iii) A member appointed to fill a vacancy shall be
19 appointed in the same manner as the member being replaced
20 and shall serve the unexpired portion of the term of the
21 member being replaced.
22 (iv) A member may not serve more than two terms.
23 (d) Removal.--A public member who fails to attend three
24 consecutive meetings, unless excused for illness or a death in
25 the family, shall be removed from the council.
26 (e) Quorum.--Eight members of the council shall constitute a
27 quorum.
28 (f) Meetings and procedure.--The council shall meet at least
29 every three months. The council may elect a chairperson and
30 other officers as necessary. The council may establish rules of
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1 procedure.
2 (g) Compensation.--Public members of the council shall serve
3 without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary
4 expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
5 (h) Support.--The department shall provide the council with
6 necessary staff and support services.
7 Section 5. Functions.
8 The council has the following powers and duties:
9 (1) Advise and consult with elected Commonwealth
10 officials in proposing initiatives aimed at enhancing the
11 Commonwealth's participation in international trade.
12 (2) Advise the Governor and the General Assembly on
13 policies concerning the Commonwealth's role in international
14 trade.
15 (3) Foster coordination and communication between the
16 public sector and the private sector on the subject of
17 international trade.
18 (4) Evaluate the effectiveness of State and local
19 programs designed primarily to promote or assist
20 international trade and make recommendations for the
21 continued improvement of these programs.
22 (5) Make recommendations to the Governor concerning
23 pending Federal and State legislation likely to affect
24 Pennsylvania's participation in international trade.
25 (6) Publicize and promote, in cooperation and
26 consultation with the department, the importance of
27 international trade among the members of the business and
28 labor communities of this Commonwealth and among the general
29 public.
30 Section 6. Report.
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1 No later than June 30 of each year, the council shall report
2 to the Governor and to the General Assembly. The report shall
3 summarize the council's activities during the prior calendar
4 year and shall make recommendations for future action.
5 Section 7. Effective date.
6 This act shall take effect in 60 days.
7 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. <--
8 THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE PENNSYLVANIA
9 EXPORT PARTNERSHIP ACT.
10 SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.
11 THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS ACT SHALL
12 HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE
13 CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:
14 "BOARD." THE PENNSYLVANIA EXPORT PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD
15 CREATED BY THIS ACT.
16 "DEPARTMENT." THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE OF THE
17 COMMONWEALTH.
18 "SMALL-SIZED AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESS." ANY BUSINESS
19 EMPLOYING 500 OR FEWER EMPLOYEES.
20 SECTION 3. PENNSYLVANIA EXPORT PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD.
21 (A) ESTABLISHMENT.--THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE
22 DEPARTMENT AN ADVISORY BOARD TO BE KNOWN AS THE PENNSYLVANIA
23 EXPORT PARTNERSHIP ADVISORY BOARD.
24 (B) MEMBERSHIP.--THE BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF 13 MEMBERS AS
25 FOLLOWS:
26 (1) THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.
27 (2) THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE.
28 (3) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF
29 THE SENATE.
30 (4) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE
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1 SENATE.
2 (5) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
3 REPRESENTATIVES.
4 (6) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE
5 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
6 (7) TWO MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WHO BELONG TO
7 TRADE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.
8 (8) ONE MEMBER APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WHO IS AN
9 EMPLOYEE OF THE FEDERAL INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION.
10 (9) FOUR MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR WHO HAVE
11 BUSINESS EXPERIENCE EXPORTING GOODS.
12 (C) CHAIRPERSON.--THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE SHALL SERVE AS
13 THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE BOARD. THE SECRETARY MAY DESIGNATE A
14 DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT TO SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON IN
15 HIS ABSENCE.
16 (D) TERMS.--EACH MEMBER SHALL SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF HIS
17 RESPECTIVE APPOINTING AUTHORITY.
18 (E) REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES.--THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
19 SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANY COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES AS
20 MEMBERS, BUT SHALL BE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL
21 REASONABLE AND NECESSARY EXPENSES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES
22 OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.
23 (F) ATTENDANCE.--A MEMBER OF THE BOARD WHO IS A MEMBER OF
24 THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET OR GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY DESIGNATE ANOTHER
25 INDIVIDUAL TO ATTEND BOARD MEETINGS ON THE MEMBER'S BEHALF. NO
26 OTHER MEMBER OF THE BOARD MAY DESIGNATE ANOTHER PERSON TO ATTEND
27 BOARD MEETINGS ON HIS BEHALF.
28 SECTION 4. PURPOSE.
29 THE PURPOSE OF THE BOARD IS TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR AND THE
30 SECRETARIES OF THE EXECUTIVE AGENCIES ON THE BEST MEANS FOR
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1 COMMONWEALTH AGENCIES TO PROMOTE THE SALE OF COMMONWEALTH-
2 MANUFACTURED GOODS AND SERVICES IN FOREIGN MARKETS BY:
3 (1) COORDINATING THE EFFORTS OF THE VARIOUS COMMONWEALTH
4 AGENCIES, MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS, LOCAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT
5 ORGANIZATIONS, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND COMMONWEALTH SERVICE
6 AND MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES SO AS TO PROVIDE A MORE
7 EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF THEIR LIMITED RESOURCES AND SO AS TO
8 MAKE OPTIMUM USE OF THE INFORMATION, SERVICES AND RESOURCES
9 OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL AID IN THE PROMOTION OF
10 THE SALE OF COMMONWEALTH-MANUFACTURED GOODS AND SERVICES IN
11 FOREIGN MARKETS.
12 (2) COORDINATING THE PRESENTATION OF TRADE SHOWS AND THE
13 AVAILABILITY OF EXPORT COUNSELING SERVICES AND OTHER
14 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OFFERED BY ANY OF THE COMMONWEALTH
15 AGENCIES, MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES, LOCAL TRADE
16 DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS SO AS TO
17 PROVIDE MAXIMUM BENEFIT TO COMMONWEALTH BUSINESSES.
18 (3) INCREASING INTERNATIONAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT AWARENESS
19 IN THIS COMMONWEALTH.
20 SECTION 5. POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD.
21 THE BOARD IS HEREBY GRANTED AND SHALL HAVE AND MAY EXERCISE
22 ALL POWERS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO CARRY OUT AND EFFECTUATE
23 THE PURPOSES OF THIS ACT, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
24 (1) TO ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT ON THE AVAILABILITY AND
25 ADVISABILITY OF CONSULTANTS AND OTHERS WHO MIGHT PREPARE,
26 SELL OR PROVIDE REPORTS, MARKETING MATERIAL, STRATEGIC
27 STUDIES OR OTHER SERVICES WHICH WILL ASSIST THE DEPARTMENT IN
28 CARRYING OUT ITS EFFORTS IN PROMOTING EXPORTS.
29 (2) TO HOLD MEETINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF GATHERING
30 INFORMATION IN FURTHERANCE OF CARRYING OUT ANY OF ITS
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1 RESPONSIBILITIES.
2 (3) TO ISSUE REPORTS, ADVISORY LETTERS, MARKETING
3 MATERIAL OR OTHER INFORMATION TO ANY PARTY IT DEEMS
4 APPROPRIATE IN FURTHERANCE OF CARRYING OUT ANY OF ITS
5 RESPONSIBILITIES.
6 (4) TO OBTAIN SUCH BOOKS, REPORTS, COMPUTER INFORMATION,
7 STRATEGIC STUDIES AND OTHER MATERIAL NECESSARY TO MONITOR THE
8 EFFECTIVENESS OF STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE OR
9 ASSIST IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE OR MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
10 CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT OF THESE PROGRAMS AND TO MAKE THE SAME
11 AVAILABLE, WITH OR WITHOUT CHARGE, TO ANY PARTY IT DEEMS
12 APPROPRIATE IN FURTHERANCE OF CARRYING OUT ANY OF ITS
13 RESPONSIBILITIES.
14 (5) TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF LOCAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT
15 AGENCIES FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE EXPORT
16 ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESSES, INCLUDING REGIONAL OR LOCAL
17 CAPACITY BUILDING AS IT RELATES TO EXPORT DEVELOPMENT OR
18 BOTH.
19 SECTION 6. INTERNATIONAL MARKETING DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.
20 THE DEPARTMENT IS HEREBY DIRECTED TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER
21 GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, BUSINESSES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
22 ORGANIZATIONS AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS WHEN IT DEVELOPS AND
23 ADMINISTERS ITS EXPORT MARKETING INITIATIVES. THE DEPARTMENT IS
24 HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO ACCEPT CONTRIBUTIONS, EITHER IN MONEY OR IN
25 KIND, FROM OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, BUSINESSES, ECONOMIC
26 DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS OR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS FOR THE
27 PURPOSE OF HOSTING OR PARTICIPATING IN TRADE SHOW EVENTS,
28 PUBLISHING OR DISTRIBUTING MARKETING MATERIAL, CONTRACTING FOR
29 CONSULTANTS OR OTHER SERVICES WHICH WILL PROMOTE THE SALE OF
30 COMMONWEALTH-MANUFACTURED GOODS OR SERVICES.
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1 SECTION 7. TRADE EVENT GRANT PROGRAM.
2 (A) ESTABLISHMENT.--THERE IS HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE
3 DEPARTMENT A PROGRAM ENTITLED THE TRADE EVENT GRANT PROGRAM,
4 UNDER WHICH THE DEPARTMENT MAY PROVIDE GRANTS TO ENCOURAGE
5 SMALL-SIZED AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES IN THIS COMMONWEALTH TO
6 ATTEND INTERNATIONAL TRADE EVENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCREASING
7 THEIR EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES.
8 (B) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.--
9 (1) GRANTS MAY NOT EXCEED $2,500 OR 50% OF ELIGIBLE
10 EXPENSES, WHICHEVER IS LESS.
11 (2) PARTICIPATION IS LIMITED TO ONE GRANT PER COMPANY,
12 PER FISCAL YEAR.
13 (3) ELIGIBLE EXPENSES WILL INCLUDE ONLY THOSE DIRECTLY
14 RELATED TO PARTICIPATION IN A TRADE EVENT AND FOR ONE
15 INDIVIDUAL ONLY.
16 (4) COMPANIES THAT ARE NEW TO EXPORT AND ARE WITHOUT A
17 PROVEN EXPORTING HISTORY WILL BE GIVEN PREFERENCE OVER
18 EXPERIENCED EXPORTERS; HOWEVER, THIS SHALL NOT EXEMPT
19 COMPANIES THAT HAVE DEMONSTRATED EXPORT INITIATIVE IN NEW
20 FOREIGN MARKETS.
21 (C) FUNDING.--PROGRAM FUNDING MAY INCLUDE MONETARY DONATIONS
22 FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THESE PRIVATE FUNDS SHALL AUGMENT ANY
23 COMMONWEALTH FUNDS UTILIZED FOR THIS PROGRAM.
24 SECTION 8. REGIONAL EXPORT MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM.
25 (A) ESTABLISHMENT.--THERE IS HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE
26 DEPARTMENT A PROGRAM ENTITLED THE REGIONAL EXPORT MATCHING GRANT
27 PROGRAM, UNDER WHICH THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ASSIST IN AND
28 ENCOURAGE THE OPERATION OF REGIONAL EXPORT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
29 (B) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.--
30 (1) ELIGIBLE EXPORT DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES MAY INCLUDE:
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1 (I) DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETING PROGRAMS
2 TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL TRADE BY COMMONWEALTH
3 BUSINESSES. THIS MAY INCLUDE CONDUCTING MARKET SURVEYS
4 AND REGIONAL EXPORT STUDIES, DEVELOPING TRADE SHOW
5 DISPLAYS, PRINTING COSTS AND CONSULTANT FEES.
6 (II) PROVIDING LOCAL SMALL-SIZED AND MEDIUM-SIZED
7 BUSINESSES WITH TECHNICAL EXPORT-RELATED ASSISTANCE AND
8 PROMOTING THE FINANCIAL AND OTHER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
9 THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
10 AGRICULTURE. THIS MAY INCLUDE THE USE OF FUNDS FOR
11 TRAINING AND SEMINAR COSTS.
12 (2) FUNDS MAY BE PROVIDED ON A MATCHING BASIS TO ONE
13 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION FROM EACH REGION OF THIS
14 COMMONWEALTH. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL IDENTIFY THE REGIONS AND
15 DESIGNATE AN ORGANIZATION IN EACH REGION TO RECEIVE THE
16 FUNDS. THESE MAY INCLUDE EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS
17 LOCAL DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
18 CENTERS AND OTHERS WHICH PROVIDE REGIONAL EXPORT SERVICES.
19 ALL GRANTS SHALL BE DISBURSED ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS
20 ACCORDING TO CRITERIA DEVELOPED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
21 (3) ALL GRANTEES SHALL MATCH COMMONWEALTH PROGRAM
22 DOLLARS ON AT LEAST A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS.
23 (4) ALL REGIONAL EXPORT PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THIS PROGRAM
24 MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE EXPORT STRATEGY AND POLICIES
25 ADOPTED BY THE BOARD AND THE DEPARTMENT.
26 (5) ALL GRANTEES SHALL REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT, AS
27 REQUIRED, REGARDING THE USE OF THE MATCHING FUNDS AND THE
28 PROGRAM RESULTS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN A FORM AND FORMAT AS
29 PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
30 SECTION 9. REGULATIONS.
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1 THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND
2 REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT AND ADMINISTER THE PURPOSES
3 AND PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT.
4 SECTION 10. EXPIRATION.
5 THIS ACT SHALL EXPIRE ON JUNE 30, 1995, UNLESS CONTINUED BY
6 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
7 SECTION 11. RETROACTIVITY.
8 IF ENACTED AFTER JULY 1, 1992, THIS ACT SHALL BE RETROACTIVE
9 TO THAT DATE.
10 SECTION 12. EFFECTIVE DATE.
11 THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT JULY 1, 1992.
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