wa-law.org > bill > 2023-24 > SB 5269 > Original Bill
The legislature finds and declares that:
Washington state, with its strong climate commitments, highly skilled workforce, and existing world-class manufacturing base is well positioned to be a global leader in clean manufacturing.
A strong state and domestic manufacturing sector can provide stable, high-wage jobs and is a prerequisite to achieving Washington state's statutory commitment to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
All Washingtonians deserve the opportunity of a high-road manufacturing career. In building the Washington manufacturing workforce pipeline, the state should fully leverage the transferable skills of our existing manufacturing workforce and develop a comprehensive, in-state pipeline with wraparound services and equitable opportunities to ensure that every Washingtonian has a fair shake at a manufacturing career and intergenerational well-being and career growth opportunities.
A holistic and coordinated state industrial strategy that seeks simultaneously to transform and revitalize Washington state's manufacturing base is vital to prevent the leakage of jobs and carbon pollution.
Washington has demonstrated a deep commitment to growing manufacturing. In 2021, the legislature set a goal of doubling the state's manufacturing base over 10 years. In 2022, the legislature created tax incentives and updated siting and permitting practices to accelerate the in-state production of clean energy product manufacturing. Developing a statewide industrial strategy is an important complement to accelerate progress and maximize the benefit of new tax incentives and siting and permitting practices.
The bipartisan infrastructure act and inflation reduction act present a once in a generation opportunity to rapidly transform and grow Washington's manufacturing base in a way that advances the state's climate goals. The state has an important role to play in ensuring that Washington fully leverages federal funding opportunities and that the benefits are shared equitably.
Washington must take steps to ensure that the transformation and growth of the state's manufacturing base simultaneously addresses and does not contribute to the disproportionate burden of pollution on overburdened communities.
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By October 1, 2023, the department of commerce must develop a proactive state industrial strategy by commissioning an independent assessment of opportunities for Washington to capture new and emerging industries and strengthen its existing manufacturing base. This independent assessment must be completed and made publicly available by October 1, 2024, with an interim progress report due on January 1, 2024.
The independent assessment must include, but is not limited to:
Assessing how the transition to net-zero emissions by 2050 will impact the potential futures of manufacturing in Washington, including identifying specific opportunities for Washington to actively seek investment in new and emerging industries and to transform and strengthen the state's existing manufacturing base to meet the needs of a net-zero economy, taking into account the Washington's existing key sectors, job quality, and regional diversity;
Assessing the needs of Washington's existing manufacturers, including supply chain challenges and resources required to meet the statutory greenhouse gas emissions reductions in RCW 70A.45.020;
Identifying opportunities to build and maximize the environmental and economic benefits of a circular economy for both new and existing industries in building out and strengthening Washington's manufacturing base;
Identifying what is required to attract new investment and transform and strengthen Washington's existing manufacturing base, including needs related to:
(A) Transportation and port infrastructure;
(B) Supply chains;
(C) Workforce; and
(D) Energy; and
v. Identifying opportunities to support minority and women-owned firms and small and medium-sized firms in capturing new and emerging industries.
c. The workforce assessment referenced in (b)(iv)(C) of this subsection should: (i) Catalogue and examine how to maximize the use of the existing manufacturing workforce's transferable skills; (ii) address any remaining skills gaps and identify opportunities to build a manufacturing workforce pipeline that ensures all current and future Washingtonians have fair access to a manufacturing career by sector; and (iii) ensure equitable and accessible pathways and advancement opportunities in manufacturing by sector.
d. The energy assessment referenced in (b)(iv)(D) of this subsection should include the quantity, price, and location of electricity necessary to decarbonize and grow Washington's existing manufacturing base and capture new and emerging industries.
e. The independent assessment will not replace but may inform the work of the manufacturing council created in RCW 43.330.762 to advise and consult on the department of commerce's recommendations to achieve the goals established in RCW 43.330.760.
The department of commerce must appoint an industrial policy advisor to ensure that Washington state fully leverages available federal funding for manufacturing to meet the state's economic development goals in RCW 43.330.760 and the statutory greenhouse gas emissions reductions in RCW 70A.45.020 and guide the implementation of the state industrial strategy created pursuant to section 2 of this act.
The industrial policy advisor must:
Track federal and other funding opportunities to transform and strengthen existing Washington manufacturers and promote the growth of new and emerging industries;
Alert Washington manufacturers to relevant federal and other funding opportunities;
Support Washington manufacturers in applying for federal and other funding opportunities and in completing required reporting;
Work to ensure that Washington's pursuit of its goals in RCW 43.330.760 and 70A.45.020 are aligned and mutually reinforcing;
Foster interagency and intraagency coordination and collaboration, including with the department of commerce sector leads, on manufacturing-related policymaking and activities, including both climate and economic development manufacturing-related policymaking;
Coordinate with the workforce innovation sector lead, particularly with respect to building the manufacturing workforce pipeline; and
Provide quarterly reports to the manufacturing council created in RCW 43.330.762.
The industry policy advisor may also:
Form expert committees with industry representatives to develop sector-specific strategies for attracting new investment and transforming and strengthening existing manufacturing consistent with the industrial strategy created pursuant to section 2 of this act;
Assist local governments with economic plans to attract new investment and transform and strengthen existing manufacturing consistent with the industrial strategy created pursuant to section 2 of this act; and
Support communities negatively impacted by the closure or relocation of manufacturing facilities by supporting efforts to attract new investment consistent with the industrial strategy created pursuant to section 2 of this act and facilitate the movement of existing skilled manufacturing workers into new industrial sectors.
This act may be known and cited as the Washington clean manufacturing leadership act.
Section 2 of this act is added to chapter 43.330 RCW and codified with the subchapter heading of "MANUFACTURING AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SECTOR PROMOTION."