The port district commissions in this state are empowered to designate the Washington public ports association as a coordinating agency through which the duties imposed by RCW 53.06.020 may be performed, harmonized or correlated. The purposes of the Washington public ports association shall be:

(1) To initiate and carry on the necessary studies, investigations and surveys required for the proper development and improvement of the commerce and business generally common to all port districts, and to assemble and analyze the data thus obtained and to cooperate with the state of Washington, port districts both within and without the state of Washington, and other operators of terminal and transportation facilities for this purpose, and to make such expenditures as are necessary for these purposes, including the proper promotion and advertising of all such properties, utilities and facilities;

(2) To establish coordinating and joint marketing bodies comprised of association members, including but not limited to establishment of a federation of Washington ports as described in RCW 53.06.070, as may be necessary to provide effective and efficient marketing of the state's trade, tourism, and travel resources;

(3) To exchange information relative to port construction, maintenance, operation, administration and management;

(4) To promote and encourage port development along sound economic lines;

(5) To promote and encourage the development of transportation, commerce and industry;

(6) To operate as a clearinghouse for information, public relations and liaison for the port districts of the state and to serve as a channel for cooperation among the various port districts and for the assembly and presentation of information relating to the needs and requirements of port districts to the public.

Findings—Severability—1989 c 425: See notes following RCW 53.06.070.