FAILED 4/16/2005

572

5581-S2.E AMH PRIE FRAS 162

E2SSB 5581 - H AMD TO H APP COMM AMD (H3043.1)

By Representatives Priest and Anderson

   On page 1, strike everything after line 2 of the amendment and insert the following:

   "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The life sciences discovery task force is established. The purpose of the task force is to provide recommendations to the governor and the legislature about creating a state authority to promote scientific research through research grants.

   (2)(a) The task force consists of the following members: two members of the house of representatives, one from each major caucus, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; two members of the senate, one from each major caucus, appointed by the president of the senate; one representative of the university of Washington; one representative of Washington state university; and three citizens, appointed by the governor.

   (b) Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

   (c) Staff support for the task force shall be provided by the office of financial management, senate committee services, and the house office of program research.

   (3) By December 1, 2005, the task force shall review and make written recommendations to the governor and to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature. The recommendations shall address, at a minimum, the following subjects:

   (a) The appropriate scope of public investment in scientific research, including the scope and nature of the research to be supported, and the linkage between the research and (i) public health outcomes and (ii) potential economic development and other associated economic benefits to the state and its citizens;

   (b) The appropriate funding mechanism for the publicly supported research, including: (i) potential identification of a revenue stream, including whether strategic contribution payments received under the master settlement agreement with the major manufacturers of tobacco would be an appropriate revenue stream; and (ii) the appropriate degree of policy and fiscal oversight by the legislature and the office of financial management, including whether revenues should be appropriated to the grant-making authority or should be expended by the authority without an appropriation, and the appropriate legislative role in reviewing grants for which funding is sought; and (iii) how the funding mechanism relates to the ability of the grant-making authority to raise private funds;

   (c) The appropriate governance structure for the grant-making authority, including ensuring appropriate requirements regarding public disclosure, financial disclosure for the authority's officers and employees, and measures to prevent conflicts of interest;

   (d) Whether a proposal to establish a grant-making authority complies with article 8, section 5 of the state constitution regarding restrictions on lending of the state's credit and gifts of public funds, and guidelines for ensuring that grants comply with these constitutional requirements;

   (e) The ability of the public to achieve a return on the expenditure of public funds, including an analysis of (i) potential employment, tax revenues, and other economic benefits from creation of such a grant program; (ii) the potential for raising non-state contributions and requiring such contributions as a match for public dollars; and (iii) the ability of the state to recapture a portion of its expenditures in the form of royalty income or other intellectual property rights;

   (f) Ethical issues pertaining to public investment in scientific research, including recommendations regarding cloning, stem cell research, genetic engineering, and financial conflicts of interest; and

   (g) The appropriate exemptions, if any, from applicable public disclosure and open meetings laws if needed to protect proprietary or other sensitive information."

   Correct the title.

EFFECT: Strikes all provisions of the bill and establishes a task force to report to the Governor and the Legislature on establishing a state authority to provide grants for scientific research. The report must address:

•   Scope of public investment and research.

•   Funding mechanism for the research grants.

•   Governance structure of the grant-making authority.

•   Compliance with article 8, sec. 5 of the state Constitution (lending of credit/gift of public funds).

•   Return on investment of public funds, including economic development, health outcomes, and ability to attract private moneys.

•   Ethical issues, including cloning, stem cell research, genetic engineering, and medical and financial conflicts of interest.

•   The need, if any, for public disclosure and open meetings exemptions to protect proprietary or other sensitive information.