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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 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 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 state, one province and one 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 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 legislators and the governor or the governor’s designee from each participating state and four representatives and the premier or the premier’s designee from each participating province and an executive committee consisting of one legislator from each participating state and/or province who is a member of the delegate council and four of the seven governors and 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 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 of the four 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 and governors and premiers 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 repeal or prevent the enactment of any legislation.

______________________________________________________________________________ [Formerly 285.695]