Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, has been appointed by Lt. Gov. Brad Owen to the Maritime Industries Joint Legislative Task Force.

The task force was created by a bill that passed the Legislature, HB 2580, which was introduced by 36th Leg. District State Rep. Gael Tarleton. It will include Rep. Tarleton and other appointed members of the House and Senate, an appointee by the Governor from the Department of Commerce, and an advisory board including maritime industry experts and representatives of chambers of commerce and maritime terminal operators.

The responsibilities of the task force are to identify ways to strengthen Washington’s maritime economy and develop recommendations to the Legislature that will, among other considerations:

Identify key maritime and manufacturing sectors in Washington; Evaluate assets of public infrastructure that support these industries; and Maximize the opportunities for employment in the maritime industry and other manufacturing sectors in Washington.

The 36th legislative district is one of many places in Washington State that has a robust maritime economy. From the seafood industry to the Ballard locks and shipyard, maritime industries provide a significant and very important boost to Seattle’s economy and culture.

The task force will present its final recommendations to the Legislature by November 1, 2015.

For more information, please contact: Adam Cooper 206-216-3182, or Clare DeLong (360) 786-7887