S-3774

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. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 28B.20.285 and sections 3 through 6 of this act.

(1) "Technology center" means the Washington technology center, including the 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. 2. 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 colleges and 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 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 educating and 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. 3. (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; one member representing the state's regional universities; the executive director of the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute; the provost of the University of Washington; and the director of the state department of trade and economic development. 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, 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, the research universities, and the high technology industry.

(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;

(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 and Washington State University in the development of education, 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) Contracting with the department of trade and economic development regarding expenditure of state-appropriated funds.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The University of Washington and Washington State University shall provide the staff, faculty, and facilities required to support the operation of the technology center. (2) Professors involved in research projects at the technology center shall be credited for their participation in the projects when these individuals are considered for promotion, salary adjustments, and tenure. Patent work shall receive the same consideration as publishing in academic or professional journals.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department of trade and economic development shall contract with and provide guidance to the technology center regarding expenditure of state-appropriated funds. 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.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The facilities of the technology center shall be available to other institutions of higher education if specific program needs so require.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. Sections 1 and 3 through 6 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.20 RCW.