IDAHO STATUTES

TITLE  67
STATE GOVERNMENT AND STATE AFFAIRS

CHAPTER 78
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ECONOMIC REGION

67-7801 - LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
67-7802 - PACIFIC NORTHWEST ECONOMIC REGION
67-7803 - COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES
67-7801

LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds that there is a new
emerging global economy in which countries and regions located in specific
areas of the world are forging new cooperative arrangements.


    The legislature finds that these new cooperative arrangements are
increasing the competitiveness of the participating countries and regions,
thus increasing the economic benefits and the overall quality of life for the
citizens of the individual countries and regions.


    The legislature also finds that the Pacific northwest states of Alaska,
Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington and the Canadian provinces of Alberta
and British Columbia are in a strategic position to act together, as a region,
thus increasing the overall competitiveness of the individual states and
provinces that will provide substantial economic benefits for all of their
citizens.
 

67-7802

PACIFIC NORTHWEST ECONOMIC REGION. The Pacific northwest
economic region is hereby enacted into law and entered into by the state of
Idaho as a party, and is in full force and effect in accordance with the terms
of this agreement.


                    THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST ECONOMIC REGION
                       ARTICLE I -- Policy and Purpose

    States and provinces participating in the Pacific northwest economic
region shall seek to develop and establish policies that: promote greater
regional collaboration among the seven (7) entities; enhance the overall
competitiveness of the region in international and domestic markets; increase
the economic well-being of all citizens in the region; and improve the quality
of life of the citizens of the Pacific northwest.


    States and provinces recognize that there are many public policy areas in
which cooperation and joint efforts would be mutually beneficial. These areas
include, but are not limited to: international trade; economic development;
human resources; the environment and natural resources; energy; and education.
Parties to this agreement shall work diligently to establish collaborative
activity in these and other appropriate policy areas where such cooperation is
deemed worthwhile and of benefit to the participating entities. Participating
states and provinces also agree that there are areas in which cooperation may
not be feasible.


    The substantive actions of the Pacific northwest economic region may take
the form of uniform legislation enacted by two (2) or more states and/or
provinces or policy initiatives endorsed as appropriate by participating
entities. It shall not be necessary for all states and provinces to
participate in each initiative.


              ARTICLE II -- Eligible Parties and Effective Date

    Each of the following states and provinces is eligible to become a party
to this agreement: Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon
and Washington. This agreement establishing the Pacific northwest economic
region shall become effective when it is executed by one (1) state, one (1)
province, and one (1) additional state and/or province in a form deemed
appropriate by each entity. This agreement shall continue in force and remain
binding upon each state and province until renounced by it. Renunciation of
this agreement must be preceded by sending one (1) year's notice in writing of
intention to withdraw from the agreement to the other parties to the
agreement.


                   ARTICLE III -- Organizational Structure

    Each state and province participating in this agreement shall appoint
representatives to the Pacific northwest economic region. The organizational
structure of the Pacific northwest economic region shall consist of the
following: a delegate council consisting of four (4) legislators and the
governor or governor's designee from each participating state and four (4)
representatives and the premier or the premier's designee from each
participating province and an executive committee consisting of one (1)
legislator from each participating state and/or province who is a member of
the delegate council and four (4) of the seven (7) governors/premiers or their
designees who are members of the delegate council. The legislator members of
the executive committee from each state or province shall be chosen by the
legislator members of that state or province.  The four (4) governor or
premier members of the executive committee shall be chosen by the governors
and premiers from among the governors and premiers on the delegate council.
At least one (1) of four (4) members representing the governors and premiers
on the executive committee must be the premier of a Canadian province. Policy
committees may be established to carry out further duties and responsibilities
of the Pacific northwest economic region.


                  ARTICLE IV -- Duties and Responsibilities

    The delegate council shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
facilitate the involvement of other government officials in the development
and implementation of specific collaborative initiatives; work with
policy-making committees in the development and implementation of specific
initiatives; approve general organizational policies developed by the
executive committee; provide final approval of the annual budget and staffing
structure for the Pacific northwest economic region developed by the executive
committee; and other duties and responsibilities as may be established in the
rules and regulations of the Pacific northwest economic region. The executive
committee shall perform the following duties and responsibilities: elect the
president and vice president of the Pacific northwest economic region; approve
and implement general organizational policies; develop the annual budget;
devise the annual action plan; act as liaison with other public and private
sector entities; review the availability of, and if appropriate apply for: (1)
tax exempt status under the laws and regulations of the United States or any
state or subdivision thereof; and (2) similar status under the laws and
regulations of Canada or any province or subdivision thereof, and approve such
rules, regulations, organizational policies, and staffing structure for the
Pacific northwest economic region and take such further actions on behalf of
the Pacific northwest economic region as may be deemed by the executive
committee to be necessary or appropriate to qualify for and maintain such tax
exempt or similar status under the applicable laws or regulations; and other
duties and responsibilities established in the rules and regulations of the
Pacific northwest economic region. The rules and regulations of the Pacific
northwest economic region shall establish the procedure for voting.


                 ARTICLE V -- Membership of Policy Committees

    Policy committees dealing with specific subject matter may be established
by the executive committee.


    Each participating state and province shall appoint legislators to sit on
these committees in accordance with its own rules and regulations concerning
such appointments.


                       ARTICLE VI -- General Provisions

    This agreement shall not be construed to limit the powers of any state or
province or to amend or repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation.
 

67-7803

COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES. It is the intent of this act to direct
and encourage the establishment of cooperative activities between the seven
(7) legislative bodies of the region. The state representatives to the Pacific
northwest economic region shall work through appropriate channels to advance
consideration of proposals developed by this body.