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Globalization Impact Bill H.374

Text of bill showing suggested revisions

H.374 (2007-08)

Resolve providing for the creation of a special commission relative to the impact on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of the World Trade Organization and similar international agreements.

Resolved,

Resolved, That a special commission is hereby established for the purpose of evaluating the continuing impacts on state laws and regulations by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its current agreements including, but not limited to, expansion of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and by similar instruments such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the proposed [Security & Prosperity Partnership (SPP). Areas of concern shall include but not be limited to land, resources, rights, government, economy, labor, finance, environment, communications, social welfare, and community].*

Said Commission shall report [ahead of federal action on the subject agreement] to the legislature and to our federally elected officials and to the public on such impacts. The commission shall recommend when the commonwealth may support or withhold support for any proposed revisions or amendments to WTO agreements, NAFTA agreements, GATS, [SPP,] and similar instruments or programs.

Said commission shall consist of 3 members of the senate, 3 members of the house of representatives, the governor or his designee, the attorney general or his designee, the treasurer of the commonwealth or his designee, and 4 persons appointed by the governor, one of whom shall be a representative of organized labor, one of whom shall be a representative of the Massachusetts Municipal Association, one of whom shall be a member of a graduate faculty of economics of a private university in the commonwealth, and one of whom shall be a member of a graduate faculty of economics of the University of Massachusetts.
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* Brackets indicate suggested additions. —DL
Questions: Funding? Statewide hearings? Personnel? Other commissioners? His/her wording?

Autor: Rep. Byron Rushing