BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the Washington center for real estate research; adding new sections to chapter 28B.30 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 43.131 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is established the Washington center for real estate research. The center is located in the college of business and economics at Washington State University. The dean of the college, or a duly authorized representative appointed by the dean, shall serve as director and ensure that adequate supervision and staff support is available. The center shall be advised by the board of trustees created under section 3 of this act.

(2) For the purposes of sections 1 through 6 of this act the following definitions apply:

(a) "Center" means the Washington center for real estate research.

(b) "Director" means the dean of the college of business and economics for Washington State University, or a duly authorized representative appointed by the dean.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 RCW to read as follows:

The purpose of the center is to provide credible, value-added information, education services, and project-oriented research to real estate licensees, real estate consumers, real estate service providers, institutional customers, public agencies and communities in Washington state, and the Pacific Northwest region. The center shall:

(1) Conduct studies in all areas directly or indirectly related to real estate and urban or rural economics;

(2) Disseminate findings and results of real estate research conducted at the center or elsewhere, using a variety of dissemination media;

(3) Supply research results and educational expertise to the Washington state real estate commission to support its regulatory functions, as requested;

(4) Prepare information of interest to real estate consumers and make the information available to the general public, universities or colleges, and appropriate state agencies;

(5) Encourage economic growth and development within the state of Washington;

(6) Support the professional development and continuing education of real estate licensees in Washington;

(7) Study and recommend changes in state statutes relating to real estate; and

(8) Publish, within three months of the conclusion of each fiscal year, a report that includes both a content review and a summary financial reporting of the public funds expended by the center.

Center staff are bound by Washington laws that limit the lobbying activities of state employees. Center staff conducting policy research and studies shall periodically review their progress with the board or its designated representative, and the results of any policy research project or study shall not be published or disseminated until designated representatives of the board have reviewed the material and offered comments.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 RCW to read as follows:

(1) There is established the board of trustees for the center to carry out the duties under section 4 of this act. The members of the board are appointed by the director. The size of the board is at the discretion of the director, but a majority of the board must always be comprised of members who are licensed under chapter 18.85 RCW. Members serve for one, two, or three-year terms at the discretion of the director who shall ensure that the terms are staggered for the purpose of providing experience among the members.

(2) Members of the board serve without compensation.

(3) The board may elect officers as it deems necessary.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 RCW to read as follows:

The primary duty of the board is to support and assist the center in fulfilling its purposes and achieving its enumerated duties under section 2 of this act. In carrying out this duty, the board shall at a minimum:

(1) Review budgets and work plans;

(2) Offer recommendations for budgets and work plans;

(3) Review proposed research agendas;

(4) Offer recommendations for the research agenda; and

(5) Review and comment on updates of the center's research and reports on the finances of the center's work plan.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The center shall be financed by a fee, hereby created, of ten dollars to be assessed on each real estate broker, associate broker, and sales person original license and renewal license, including inactive renewals, issued pursuant to chapter 18.85 RCW.

(2) In addition, the center may charge for its publications, educational materials, and data bases; may receive gifts and grants from foundations, individuals, and other sources for its benefit; and may engage in contract work for public and private clients.

(3) The director of licensing shall deposit the fee created under subsection (1) of this section into the account created under section 6 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 28B.30 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington center for real estate research account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Except as set forth under this section, moneys derived under section 5 of this act shall be deposited into this account. Moneys derived from gifts and grants from foundations, individuals, and other sources for the center's benefit may be deposited into this account. Expenditures from this account may be made only upon the authorization of the dean, college of business and economics, while serving in the capacity of director, or a duly authorized representative of the dean, under section 1 of this act, and may be used only for the support, operation, and maintenance of the center and for carrying out its purposes, objectives, and duties as described in section 2 of this act. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 43.131 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington center for real estate research and its powers and duties are terminated on June 30, 2005, as provided in section 8 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 43.131 RCW to read as follows:

The following acts or parts of acts, as now existing or hereafter amended, are each repealed, effective June 30, 2006:

(1) Section 1 of this act;

(2) Section 2 of this act;

(3) Section 3 of this act;

(4) Section 4 of this act;

(5) Section 5 of this act; and

(6) Section 6 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. This act is applicable to all original or renewal licenses under chapter 18.85 RCW that are issued after June 30, 1998.