AN ACT
Relating to the Washington technology center; amending RCW 28B.20.285; and
adding new sections to chapter 28B.20 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE
OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. The
legislature finds that the development and commercialization of new technology
is a vital part of economic development.
The
legislature also finds that it is in the interests of the state of Washington
to provide a mechanism to transfer and apply research and technology developed
at the institutions of higher education to the private sector in order to
create new products and technologies which provide job opportunities in
advanced technology for the citizens of this state.
It is
the intent of the legislature that the University of Washington, the Washington
State University, and the department of trade and economic development work
cooperatively with the private sector in the development and implementation of
a world class technology transfer program.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless
the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply
throughout RCW 28B.20.285 and sections 3 through 8 of this act.
(1)
"Technology center" means the Washington technology center, including
the affiliated staff, faculty, facilities, and research centers operated by the
technology center.
(2)
"Board" means the board of directors of the Washington technology
center.
(3)
"High technology" or "technology" includes but is not
limited to the modernization, miniaturization, integration, and computerization
of electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, laser, mechanical, robotics, nuclear,
chemical, telecommunication, and other technological applications to enhance
productivity in areas including but not limited to manufacturing,
communications, medicine, bioengineering, and commerce.
Sec.
3. RCW
28B.20.285 and 1983 1st ex.s. c 72 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:
A
Washington ((high-technology)) technology center is created ((at
the University of Washington. The Washington high-technology center shall
provide: (1) An interdisciplinary program to support major high-technology
education and research initiatives within the state; (2) the resources
necessary for research and development programs in high technology; (3) quality
training for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in high technology;
and (4) interdisciplinary approaches to instruction and research in
high-technology fields.
The
Washington high-technology center shall be administered by the board of regents
with the advice of the high-technology coordinating board. The University of
Washington shall make the facilities of the Washington high-technology center
available to other institutions of higher education when specific program needs
so require)) to be a collaborative effort between the state's
universities, private industry, and government. The technology center shall be
headquartered at the University of Washington. The mission of the technology
center shall be to perform and commercialize research on a state-wide basis
that benefits the intermediate and long-term economic vitality of the state of
Washington, and to develop and strengthen university-industry relationships
through the conduct of research that is primarily of interest to
Washington-based companies or state economic development programs. The
technology center shall:
(1)
Perform and/or facilitate research supportive of state science and technology
objectives, particularly as they relate to state industries;
(2)
Provide leading edge collaborative research and technology transfer
opportunities primarily to state industries;
(3)
Provide substantial opportunities for training undergraduate and graduate
students through direct involvement in research and industry interactions;
(4)
Emphasize and develop nonstate support of the technology center's research
activities; and
(5)
Provide a forum for effective interaction between the state's technology-based
industries and its academic research institutions through promotion of faculty
collaboration with industry, particularly within the state.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 4. (1)
The technology center shall be administered by the board of directors of the
technology center.
(2)
The board shall consist of the following members: Fourteen members from among
individuals who are associated with or employed by technology-based industries
and have broad business experience and an understanding of high technology;
eight members from the state's universities with graduate science and
engineering programs; the executive director of the Spokane Intercollegiate
Research and Technology Institute or his or her designated representative; the
provost of the University of Washington or his or her designated
representative; the provost of the Washington State University or his or her
designated representative; and the director of the state department of trade
and economic development or his or her designated representative. The term of
office for each board member, excluding the executive director of the Spokane
Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, the provost of the
University of Washington, the provost of the Washington State University, and
the director of the state department of trade and economic development, shall
be three years. The executive director of the technology center shall be an ex
officio, nonvoting member of the board. The board shall meet at least
quarterly. Board members shall be appointed by the governor based on the
recommendations of the existing board of the technology center, and the
research universities. The governor shall stagger the terms of the first group
of appointees to ensure the long term continuity of the board.
(3)
The duties of the board include:
(a)
Developing the general operating policies for the technology center;
(b)
Appointing the executive director of the technology center;
(c)
Approving the annual operating budget of the technology center;
(d)
Establishing priorities for the selection and funding of research projects that
guarantee the greatest potential return on the state's investment;
(e)
Approving and allocating funding for research projects conducted by the
technology center, based on the recommendations of the advisory committees for
each of the research centers;
(f) In
cooperation with the department of trade and economic development, developing a
biennial work plan and five-year strategic plan for the technology center that
are consistent with the state-wide technology development and commercialization
goals;
(g)
Coordinating with the University of Washington, Washington State University,
and other participating institutions of higher education in the development of
training, research, and development programs to be conducted at the technology
center that shall be targeted to meet industrial needs;
(h)
Assisting the department of trade and economic development in the department's
efforts to develop state science and technology public policies and coordinate
publicly funded programs;
(i)
Reviewing annual progress reports on funded research projects that are prepared
by the advisory committees for each of the research centers;
(j)
Providing an annual report to the governor and the legislature detailing the
activities and performance of the technology center; and
(k)
Submitting annually to the department of trade and economic development an
updated strategic plan and a statement of performance measured against the
mission, roles, and contractual obligations of the technology center.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 5. The
University of Washington, Washington State University, and other participating
institutions of higher education shall provide the affiliated staff, faculty,
and facilities required to support the operation of the technology center.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 6. The
department of trade and economic development shall contract with the University
of Washington for the expenditure of state-appropriated funds for the operation
of the Washington technology center. The department of trade and economic
development shall provide guidance to the technology center regarding
expenditure of state-appropriated funds and the development of the center's
strategic plan. The director of the department of trade and economic
development shall not withhold funds appropriated for the technology center if
the technology center complies with the provisions of its contract with the
department of trade and economic development. The department shall be
responsible to the legislature for the contractual performance of the center.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 7. The
facilities of the technology center shall be made available to other
institutions of higher education within the state when this would benefit
specific program needs.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections
1, 2, and 4 through 7 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.20 RCW.
