SENATE BILL REPORT

 

                           ESHB 1776

 

   AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC

                  DEVELOPMENT, MARCH 24, 1993

 

 

Brief Description:  Creating the office of science and technology.

 

SPONSORS: House Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing (originally sponsored by Representatives Wineberry, Ballard, Jacobsen, Wood, Finkbeiner, Reams, Ogden, Vance, Peery, Cooke, Dorn, Johanson, R. Meyers, Campbell, Miller, Brough, Horn, Long, Foreman, J. Kohl and Forner)

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & HOUSING

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRADE, TECHNOLOGY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means. 

     Signed by Senators Skratek, Chairman; Sheldon, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Deccio, Erwin, M. Rasmussen, and Williams.

 

Staff:  Traci Ratzliff (786‑7452)

 

Hearing Dates: March 24, 1993

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Over 1,500 high technology firms currently conduct business in Washington State.  These firms include aerospace, medical device manufacturers, electronics companies, biotechnology, computer hardware manufacturers, environmental firms, and computer software companies.  Over 100,000 jobs are provided by this industry.  Add Boeing and the number of jobs created by this industry group rises to over 200,000.  Most high tech firms are small and medium-sized employing fewer than 500 employees.

 

Those most concerned about Washington's economy suggest that the fostering and development of high technology businesses is necessary to assure the overall growth and stability of the state's economy.  Numerous states have established science and technology advisory councils as mechanisms for evaluating, developing and implementing statewide policies that seek to encourage the growth and development of the high technology industry within their states.  These councils usually consist of representatives from industry, academia, and government agencies.  They address such topics as:  education; research and development; technology transfer; trade issues; tax issues; and regulatory issues.

 

The state of Washington does not have a mechanism for evaluating and developing statewide science and technology policies.  In addition, there is no centralized location for accessing information on technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization programs.

 

The Governor's Task Force on Energy, Technology and Telecommunications included in its recommendations the creation of a senior technical advisor position and a technology council to develop technology strategies for the state.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The Office of Science and Technology is created within the Department of Trade and Economic Development (DTED).  DTED's special assistant for technology administers the office.  The special assistant's duties include:  chairing the Science and Technology Advisory Council; assisting in the development and implementation of statewide science and technology policies; advising the Governor and other state agencies on the use of new and emerging technologies within state government; providing oversight of all publicly funded technology transfer programs in the state; and acting as a liaison to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board and other commissions and state agencies interested in the development and implementation of science and technology policies.

 

Subject to receipt of funds, the Office of Science and Technology has the responsibility to:  provide linkages to federal programs and funding for research and development efforts in the state; represent the state in communications with the federal office of science and technology policy; participate in the formation of a statewide advanced technology network; act as a clearinghouse for small and medium-sized businesses seeking information on technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization activities within the state; and to foster public understanding of the role of science and technology in modern society, thus encouraging more individuals to enter technical professions.

 

The Department of Trade and Economic Development may create an Advisory Council on Science and Technology.

 

The science and technology support account is created in the State Treasury.  Moneys received in this fund are to enable the Office of Science and Technology to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

 

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

 

The Office of Science and Technology is created within the Department of Trade and Economic Development.  A science and technology advisor, appointed by the Governor, administers the office.  The advisor's duties include:  staff the science and technology advisory council; assist in the development and implementation of statewide science and technology policies; advise the Governor and other state agencies on the use of new and emerging technologies within state government; provide oversight of all publicly funded technology transfer programs in the state; and act as a liaison to the Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Work Force Training and Education Coordinating Board and other commissions and state agencies interested in the development and implementation of science and technology policies.  The duties of the science and technology advisor and the advisory council are not to be duplicative of the duties of the Department of Information Services (DIS) and the Information Services Board (ISB) regarding information technology and its use in state government.  The science and technology advisor and the advisory council are directed to incorporate the efforts of DIS and ISB into broader science and technology policy recommendations.  A representative from DIS is specifically included in the membership of the advisory council.

 

The Office of Science and Technology has the following responsibilities:  provide linkages to federal programs and funding for research and development efforts in the state; represent the state in communications with the federal office of science and technology policy; conduct an assessment of the technology transfer, industrial extension and modernization capabilities existing in the state; participate in the formation of a statewide advanced technology network; act as a clearinghouse for small and medium sized businesses seeking information on technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization activities within the state; and foster public understanding of the role of science and technology in modern society, thus encouraging more individuals to enter technical professions.

 

The Advisory Council on Science and Technology is created to develop statewide science and technology policies.  The council is directed to specifically address policies related to:  strengthening research and development partnerships between industry, academia and government; developing a work force educated and skilled to work in technology-based businesses; identifying capital funding options for technology-based companies; creating incentives for the start up of technology-based businesses; expanding and coordinating industrial modernization and technology transfer programs within the state.  The council submits policies to the Governor and the Legislature for review and adoption.  The council consists of representatives from industry, academia, federally and privately operated laboratories, and state agencies.  The members are appointed by the Governor.

 

An appropriation clause, in the amount of $377,000, is added.

 

Appropriation:  $377,000

 

Revenue:  none

 

Fiscal Note:  requested

 

TESTIMONY FOR:

 

The federal government is placing increasing emphasis on facilitating the development and utilization of new technological products and processes in the private and public sector.  This bill would require the state to develop policies related to:  the development and utilization of science and technology in the private and public sector and ways to facilitate the support of and growth of technology-based businesses in this state.  This bill would position the state to be the recipient of federal dollars allocated towards the development and utilization of new technologies in the private and public sectors.

 

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

 

TESTIFIED:  Representative Wineberry, prime sponsor; Barbara Campbell, Dept. of Trade and Economic Development