(1) The economic climate council is hereby created.

     (2) The council shall, in consultation with the Washington economic development commission, select a series of benchmarks that characterize the competitive environment of the state. The benchmarks should be indicators of the cost of doing business; the education and skills of the workforce; a sound infrastructure; and the quality of life. In selecting the appropriate benchmarks, the council shall use the following criteria:

     (a) The availability of comparative information for other states and countries;

     (b) The timeliness with which benchmark information can be obtained; and

     (c) The accuracy and validity of the benchmarks in measuring the economic climate indicators named in this section.

     (3) Each year the council shall prepare an official state economic climate report on the present status of benchmarks, changes in the benchmarks since the previous report, and the reasons for the changes. The reports shall include current benchmark comparisons with other states and countries, and an analysis of factors related to the benchmarks that may affect the ability of the state to compete economically at the national and international level.

     (4) All agencies of state government shall provide to the council immediate access to all information relating to economic climate reports.

[2007 c 232 § 8; 1998 c 245 § 168; 1996 c 152 § 2.]