Title: An act relating to establishing a joint legislative task force on life sciences.

Brief Description: Establishing a joint legislative task force on life sciences.

Sponsors: Senators Pflug, Shin, Eide, Weinstein, McAuliffe, Schmidt, Carrell, Rasmussen, Kohl-Welles and Franklin.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/1/06, 2/2/06 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6867 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member; Hewitt, Honeyford, Keiser and Prentice.

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7483)

Background: Washington is a strong center for the medical device and biotechnology industries but there is concern that the growth in this job sector has stagnated since 2002. Creating a comprehensive strategy and implementation plan for growth in the life sciences sector will enhance the State's economy and keep Washington competitive.

Summary of Substitute Bill: The Joint Legislative Task Force on Life Science is created. The Task Force consists of 13 members: one member from each caucus of the Senate; one member from each caucus of the House of Representatives; and nine members appointed jointly by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House. Of these nine jointly appointed members, three members will represent life sciences industries, two members will represent academic institutions, one member will represent a facility incubating life sciences businesses, and one member will represent a local government with model permit issuance processes.

The Task Force is to review the weaknesses in the state's capacity to support development and growth of the life sciences sector and develop a comprehensive strategy and implementation plan to: enhance life sciences research in the state; foster university collaboration; promote networking; increase the supply of risk capital; increase the number of research parks, incubators, and other facilities; enhance the business environment; and encourage permit streamlining.

The Task Force will complete its work by December 15, 2006, and the Task Force expires on December 31, 2006.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: Under the substitute bill, the Task Force members are not reimbursed for their travel expenses.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This Task Force provides an opportunity to promote economic development and improve the health of our citizens. We know what our strengths are, so we need to take some time and look at what we need to improve in order to remain competitive in this industry.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Senator Pflug; and Vicki Austin, WA Biotechnology and Biomedical Assocation.