H-3435              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1684

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1986 Regular Session

By Representatives Scott, May, McMullen, G. Nelson and P. King

Read first time 1/22/86 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

AN ACT Relating to technology transfer; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; making an appropriation; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that the commercialization of new products and technologies by Washington-based researchers and entrepreneurs to new and successful companies is a vital step in the state's economic development efforts.  The diversification of the state's economic base is dependent on fully utilizing the entrepreneurial talent which exists in both the public and private sectors.  New product development requires a systematic and coordinated exchange between researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs willing to take risks to market inventions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The Washington technology assistance program is created in the Washington technology center to facilitate an exchange of ideas and information between industry, investors, entrepreneurs, and researchers.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     For the purposes of this chapter:

          (1) "Director" means the director of the Washington technology center.

          (2) "Center" means the Washington technology center.

          (3) "Program" means the Washington technology assistance program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The director shall coordinate or contract with any public or private organization to provide for the services of the program.  The program shall:

          (1) Present information on new and state-of-the-art technologies to companies and other interested individuals in the state;

          (2)  Establish an outreach network and referral process for entrepreneurs and small companies to locate research talent and conduct problem-solving on technological developments;

          (3) Develop a data base listing research projects and specialized pieces of instrumentation and equipment available at the center, the state's universities, and in cooperating businesses which are not generally available, and establish an appropriate fee structure for use of data base and/or equipment;

          (4) Assist Washington companies and researchers to obtain grants under federal research and development programs;

          (5) Coordinate with other public and private organizations to assess the needs for information on technology development and to market the center to industry; and

          (6) Analyze other needs and promote steps to encourage technology transfer across the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     The center shall work with other public and private organizations to ensure the systematic commercialization of new technologies.  The director may contract with an organization to accomplish the following:

          (1) Create a brochure describing the steps and resources available to assist technology transfer;

          (2) Create an investor data base to determine potential sources and types of financing for small firms seeking seed capital; and

          (3) Assist in the licensing and patenting of new inventions of private and public researchers and entrepreneurs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     There is appropriated from the general fund to the Washington technology center for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, the sum of forty-five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.     Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8.     This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.