(1) Subject to available funds, the Washington state economic development commission may:

     (a) Periodically review for consistency with the state comprehensive plan for economic development the policies and plans established for:

     (i) Business and technical assistance by the small business development center, the Washington manufacturing service, the *Washington technology center, associate development organizations, the department of commerce, and the office of minority and women-owned business enterprises;

     (ii) Export assistance by the small business export finance assistance center, the international marketing program for agricultural commodities and trade, the department of agriculture, the center for international trade in forest products, associate development organizations, and the department of commerce; and

     (iii) Infrastructure development by the department of commerce and the department of transportation; and

     (b) Review and make recommendations to the office of financial management and the legislature on budget requests and legislative proposals relating to the state economic development system for purposes of consistency with the state comprehensive plan for economic development.

     (2) The Washington state economic development commission must:

     (a) In collaboration with the department of commerce and other partners, develop a plan for a consistent and reliable database on participation rates, costs, program activities, and outcomes from publicly funded economic development programs in this state by October 1, 2012;

     (b) By October 1, 2012, establish standards for data collection and maintenance for providers in the economic development system in a format that is accessible to use by the commission. The commission must require a minimum of common core data to be collected by each entity providing economic development services with public funds and shall develop requirements for minimum common core data in consultation with the economic climate council, the office of financial management, and the providers of economic development services;

     (c) Establish minimum common standards and metrics for program evaluation of economic development programs, and monitor such program evaluations; and

     (d) Beginning no later than January 1, 2012, periodically administer, based on a schedule established by the commission, scientifically based outcome evaluations of the state economic development system including, but not limited to, surveys of industry associations, industry cluster associations, and businesses served by publicly funded economic development programs; matches with employment security department payroll and wage files; and matches with department of revenue tax files; and

     (e) Evaluate proposals for expenditure from the economic development strategic reserve account and recommend expenditures from the account.

     (3) The governor or legislature may direct the commission, from time to time, to undertake additional research and policy analysis, assessments, or other special projects related to its mission.

[2011 c 311 § 6; 2007 c 232 § 5.]

NOTES:

     *Reviser's note: The Washington technology center was abolished by 2011 1st sp.s. c 14 § 17.