AN ACT Relating to education and other programs to enhance human intellect; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) Society is experiencing a rapid transformation into a technological age requiring citizens to be capable of mentally processing increasingly larger amounts of information;

(b) Current research on human intelligence and the innate capacities of the brain shows that individuals can be taught to master the basic skill of learning how to learn in order to more effectively use their inherent brain power;

(c) The ability to reason, solve problems, think critically, exercise independent judgment, and perform other intellectual functions at higher levels can be enhanced in every person;

(d) The community human intelligence project and the applied thinking skills project in Santa Barbara, California, and the nationwide intelligence project in Venezuela have shown good results with promising social and educational benefits;

(e) The state of Washington, consistent with its reputation as a lighthouse state on education issues, should assume a leadership role in implementing research-supported innovations that can enhance the formal educational experiences for students and stimulate interest in the value of life-long learning; and

(f) The development of intellectual potential should be stressed for all persons.

(2) The legislature in creating the office for the enhancement of human intellect intends to provide personal and social benefits to the people of the state of Washington and to ensure that the state takes maximum advantage of the emerging technological age.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. This chapter may be known and cited as the office for the enhancement of human intellect act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Office" means the office for the enhancement of human intellect.

(2) "Coordinator" means the coordinator of the office for the enhancement of human intellect.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The governor shall establish a state-wide office for the enhancement of human intellect within the office of the governor, and appoint a coordinator, subject to senate confirmation, who may employ such staff as necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW do not apply to the coordinator and the staff hired by the coordinator.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The office, working in cooperation with the state board of education, the superintendent of public instruction, school districts, educational service districts, individuals, local groups, and organizations throughout the state, may undertake any program or activity for which funds are appropriated or are otherwise available which furthers the goals of this chapter. These programs and activities may include, but are not limited to:

(1) Providing information about programs, activities, and resources of value to individuals, groups, and organizations interested in human intellect issues;

(2) Maintaining a clearinghouse of information on human intellect;

(3) Sponsoring recognition events for outstanding individuals and organizations involved with human intellect programs or projects;

(4) Organizing, or assisting in the organization of, training workshops, seminars, and conferences; and

(5) Publishing schedules of significant events, lists of published materials, accounts of successful programs and programming techniques, and other information concerning the field of enhancing human intellect, and widely distributing this information.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. (1) The Washington state council on human intellect is created to assist the governor and the office in the accomplishment of its mission.

(2) Giving due consideration to geographic representation, the governor shall appoint the members of the council as provided in this section.

(3) The governor shall appoint a chair for the council.

(4) The advisory council shall have, including its chair, a total membership of nine.

(5) Members of the council shall upon request be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

(6) The council and its members shall:

(a) Advise the governor as the governor requests and directs;

(b) Propose, review, and evaluate activities and programs of the office;

(c) Represent the governor and the office on such occasions and in such manner as the governor may from time to time provide; and

(d) Deliver to the governor and the legislature on the 15th of December, 1985, and of each year thereafter, a report outlining the scope and nature of promoting human intellect activities in the state, assessing the need and potential for human intellect activities in the state, identifying and recognizing significant accomplishments of individuals, groups, and organizations, and making such recommendations as the council determines by majority vote.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. (1) The office may receive such gifts, grants, and endowments from private or public sources as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purpose of the office and expend the same or any income therefrom according to the terms of the gifts, grants, or endowments. The office may charge reasonable fees, or other appropriate charges, for attendance at workshops and conferences, for various publications, and for other materials which it is authorized to prepare and distribute for the purpose of defraying all or part of the costs of those activities and materials.

(2) A fund known as the human intellect office fund is created, which consists of all gifts, grants, and endowments, fees, and other revenues received under this chapter. The state treasurer is the custodian of the fund. Disbursements from the fund shall be on authorization of the coordinator or the coordinator's designee, and may be made for the following purposes to enhance the capabilities of the office's activities, such as: (a) Publication and distribution of materials pertaining to human intellect; and (b) for other purposes designated in gifts, grants, or endowments consistent with the purposes of this chapter. The fund is subject to the allotment procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursements.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The office and the council shall cease to exist on June 30, 1987, unless extended by law for an additional fixed period of time. The legislative budget committee shall cause a performance audit of the office and the council to be conducted. The final audit report shall be available to the legislature at least six months before the scheduled termination date. The audit shall include, but is not limited to, objective findings of fact, conclusions, and recommendations as to the continuation, modification, or termination of the office and council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. Sections 1 through 8 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, from the general fund to the office of the governor for the purposes of this act.