SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6087
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Economic Development, Trade & Innovation, February 23, 2009
Title: An act relating to the duties of the Washington economic development commission.
Brief Description: Regarding the duties of the economic development commission.
Sponsors: Senators Kastama and Shin.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Economic Development, Trade & Innovation: 2/23/09 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TRADE & INNOVATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Shin, Vice Chair; Zarelli, Ranking Minority Member; Delvin, Eide, Kilmer and McCaslin.
Staff: Jack Brummel (786-7428)
Background: The Washington State Economic Development Commission (Commission) was created to provide planning, coordination, evaluation, monitoring, and policy analysis and development for the state economic development system. The Commission is also to provide advice to the Governor and Legislature concerning the state economic development system. The Commission is required to develop an inventory of economic development programs and maintain on a biennial basis a state comprehensive plan for economic development. The Commission has released an initial inventory and its first such comprehensive plan.
The Commission was directed to review the appropriate state role in economic development and the appropriate administrative and regional structure for the provision of economic development services by September 1, 2008.
The Commission has oversight of implementation of innovation partnerships and was directed to develop a plan, by December 31, 2007, with the Higher Education Coordinating Board and research institutions to strengthen research teams, fund researchers and labs, and increase commercialization capacity. Identification of the most productive approaches to take for recruitment of a minimum of ten significant entrepreneurial researchers over the next ten years was to be included in the plan.The Commission is also to develop performance measures for innovation research teams and innovation partnership zone grant recipients and report on the measures developed by December 31, 2008.
Summary of Bill: The Commission's review of the appropriate state role in economic development and the appropriate administrative and regional structure for the provision of economic development services is to be carried out in conjunction with the Governor's office and the appropriate policy committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2009.
The Commission's plan to strengthen research teams, fund researchers and labs, and increase commercialization capacity is to be updated annually. The plan is to include identification of the most productive approaches to take for recruitment of a minimum of one significant entrepreneurial researcher per year.
The report on the performance measures for innovation research teams and innovation partnership zone grant recipients is due by September 30, 2009.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 20, 2009.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Any agency structure changes should be made after deliberation by both houses and the Governor. The legislation is a step forward for coordination.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kastama, prime sponsor; Noreen Hoban, Washington Economic Development Commission.