BILL REQ. #:  H-0438.1 

Read first time 02/14/2007.   Referred to Committee on Technology, Energy & Communications.

     AN ACT Relating to developing more effective streamlining of technology and innovation in the state of Washington; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that Washington state benefits from having a dynamic technology-based economy founded on and sustained by world-class innovations in such areas as software, telecommunications, aerospace, biotechnology, medical instrumentation, energy, and the environment. To assist in the growth of technological innovations, the state has established state-supported institutions, such as the Washington technology center and the Spokane intercollegiate research and technology institute, which seek to foster the acceleration and growth of new products and technologies in the state. Additionally, to promote life sciences research and enhance the competitive position of the state, the legislature created the life sciences discovery fund. The legislature finds that due to the fragmentation of state technology efforts and resources and the lack of a central coordinating body, the state is hindered in advancing innovation throughout the state. In addition, technology-based institutions vary significantly in their administrative overhead costs and vary in the methods used to calculate these costs. The legislature intends to create a central technology governing board that: Advances and ensures appropriate coordination among state technology institutions and agencies; eliminates duplication of services; sets the direction for current and future technology efforts through a strategic planning process; and establishes performance metrics and a prudent administrative overhead rate. The governing body will ensure an administrative overhead rate of no more than thirty-two percent. The legislature intends for the governing board to provide administrative functions, such as financial services, computer and information technology services, personnel services, communications, and administrative procedures guidance. Institutions under the authority of the governing board would include the Washington technology center, the Spokane intercollegiate research and technology institute, the life sciences discovery fund, and any future technology-based entities the legislature may establish.