Sen. Chase to serve on trade policy oversight committee

State Sen. Maralyn Chase will replace retired Democratic State Sen. Paull Shin on the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Trade Policy, a committee on which she served for seven years as a representative in the House.

Lt. Gov. Brad Owen announced the appointment May 9.

“Trade is important to all states, but nowhere is it more important than Washington state,” Chase said. “The work of this committee is crucial to the success of our economy and I look forward to resuming my efforts to make sure we do everything we can to help our economy thrive.”

The committee was created in 2003 to monitor the impact of trade agreements on Washington state laws and to provide a mechanism for legislators and citizens to voice opinions and concerns about the potential impacts of these agreements to state and federal officials.

Among other things, the committee maintains active communication with the state trade representative’s office, the U.S. trade representative’s office, Washington’s congressional delegation, the National Conference of State Legislatures and any other bodies the committee deems appropriate regarding ongoing developments in international trade agreements and policy.

It conducts an annual assessment of the impacts of international trade agreements on Washington law and is authorized to examine any aspects of international trade, international economic integration and trade agreements that members deem appropriate.

Chase represents the 32nd Legislative District, including Lynnwood, Woodway and nearby unincorporated areas of southwest Snohomish County, parts of Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace, Shoreline and part of northwest Seattle.

Shin represented the 21st Legislative District, including most of Edmonds, unincorporated areas north of Edmonds and Lynnwood and northeast of Lynnwood, all of Mukiteo and part of south Everett. Marko Liias won appointment to replace him in January.