SB 5902 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Finds that many small business innovators lack the grant-writing skills necessary to prepare a successful small business innovation research program proposal, and the federal program that funded grant-writing assistance has stopped operations. Nearly fifty percent of small businesses trained under the federal program won grants compared to less than ten percent of those that did not receive training.

Directs the Washington technology center to establish a small business innovation research program proposal review process to train and assist Washington small businesses to win phase I small business innovation research program awards.

Directs the Washington technology center to give priority to first-time small business innovation research program applicants, new businesses, and firms with fewer than ten employees.

Authorizes the Washington technology center to charge a fee for this service that is contingent upon the small business's receipt of a phase I award.

Appropriates the sum of forty-five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.