AWB Committees & Councils

A broad diversity of AWB members serve on the issue councils, committees and task force groups that guide AWB and set our policy goals. Over the years, the AWB membership -- representing businesses large and small, urban and rural, and from both sides of the Cascades -- has become one of the most effective and respected grassroots forces in the state.

• AWB Board of Directors -

• Executive Committee -

Governmental Affairs

Your association relies on member input to formulate policy objectives. Contact AWB to find out how to participate in one of the following committees: 

• Governmental Affairs Council - The Governmental Affairs Council (GAC) reviews current and proposed legislation to determine its impact on AWB members. In addition, the GAC reviews recommendation from all AWB committees and councils on proposed policies and legislative objectives, and forwards the GAC recommendations to the AWB Executive Committee and/or the AWB Board of Directors.

• Small Business Policy Council - Chaired by the vice chair of the AWB Board of Directors, this council provides a small-business perspective on state agency activities and AWB's overall legislative agenda. Council members also serve as grassroots contacts on legislative and regulatory issues.

• Education and Training Committee - The Education and Training Committee recommendations on current and proposed legislation regarding K-12 and higher education issues. Its focus is to make policy recommendations based on ensuring that Washington has a well-educated and technically competent workforce. This committee also identifies workforce training programs needed in high demand jobs, develops proposals to address employment gaps raised by the aging workforce, and programs for the growing technology, math and science skills in the changing workforce.

• Transportation Committee - This committee reviews and makes recommedations regarding the transportation system in our state. It also monitors state government activities in this area, particularly the Department of Transportation.

• Energy Committee - This committee focuses on ensuring abudant energy supply at a reasonable cost to help foster a positive business climate for Washington state. This committee is comprised of utilities, direct service industries, commercial and retail businesses, and large industrial users.

Environmental Issues:

• Environmental Affairs Council - This council serves as an umbrella group for AWB's environmental committees. It recommends policy objectives and reviews proposed legislative objectives developed by these committees.

• Air Quality Committee - This committee serves as a forum for information about air operating permits, the state implementation plan for the federal Clean Air Act and air quality laws and regulations. It is primarily a technical committee, but also considers legislative strategy. The Air Quality Committee is comprised of technical experts from manjor manufacturing facilities, as well as their consultants and attorneys.

• Land Use Committee - This committee focuses on growth management, shoreline management, and SEPA-related legislation and regulations. It actively monitors the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development and the Washington's Department of Ecology. Participants represent development interests, agriculture, timber, rural land ownsers, and attorneys advising these members.

• Water Quality Committee - This committee deals with legislation and regulations affecting water quality in streams, rivers, and Puget Sound and with wastewater discharge (NPDES) permits. It also has focuses on the quality or water and habitat available for salmon. The committee is comprised primarily of members involved in manufacturing, although seafood companies and agricultural interests are also involved.

• Water Resources Committee - This committee focuses its efforts on the water quantity policies of the state Department of Ecology. The committee works to ensure water policies provide for an appropriate balance for the use of this scarce resource. The committee is comprised of industry, agriculture, and development interests.

Tax and Fiscal Policy Issues:

• Tax and Fiscal Policy Council- This council reviews existing and proposed revenue and fiscal legislation and regulations to determine their impact on AWB members. It also reviews legislative objectives submitted by committees within its jurisdiction. The council also proposes legislation to achieve AWB's legislative goals and formulates positions on current or proposed tax and fiscal matters.

Human Resources Issues:

• Human Resources Council - This council serves as an umbrella group for AWB's human resources committees. It recommends policy objectives and reviews proposed legislative objectives developed by these committees.

• Employment Law Committee - This special committee for employment law attorneys make recommendations on issues ranging from discrimination law to wage and hour law and monitors the performance of the Washington state Human Rights Commission and the state Department of Larbor and Industries' Employment Standards Division.

• Health Care Committee - This committee reviews and makes recommendations on current and proposed health care legislation and monitors regulatory activity. Members include small business owners and other purchasers of health care benefits for their employees and representatives of insurers, providers, and manufacturers of health care products.

• Workers’ Compensation Committee - This committee recommends positions on workers' compensation issues and monitors the performance of the Department of Labor and Industries' Insurance Services Division.

• Unemployment Insurance Committee - This committee recommends postitions on unemployment insurance issues and monitors the performance of the state Employment Security Department.

• Workplace Safety Committee - This committee reviews and makes recommendations on proposed Labor and Industries workplace safety rules and policies. Additionally, subcommittees are often formed to address issues such as violence, ergonomics, and first aid. Members include safety and health professionals, industrial hygienists, consultants, business owners, and managers.