BILL REQ. #:  S-4529.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to commercialization of research at state universities; amending RCW 42.52.160; and adding new sections to chapter 28B.63 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 28B.63 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) It is the intent of the legislature that state universities engage in the commercialization of research and other economic development and workforce development activities that benefit the intermediate and long-term economic vitality of Washington. State universities are expected to develop and strengthen university-industry relationships through the conduct of research, the support of company formation and job generation, and collaborative training. The state universities must perform one or more of the following functions:
     (a) Provide collaborative research and technology transfer opportunities;
     (b) Publicize their commercialization processes and include an explanation of how to access commercialization resources at the universities;
     (c) Develop mechanisms for pairing researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors. Such mechanisms are to include, but are not limited to, developing guides, web sites, or workshops on funding opportunities, on entrepreneurship and the process of starting a company, and on university-industry relations;
     (d) Host events to connect researchers to entrepreneurs, investors, and individuals from the state's technology-based industries; and
     (e) Provide opportunities for training undergraduate and graduate students through direct involvement in research and industry interactions.
     (2) In carrying out the duties in this section, the universities may work with and through the higher education coordinating board.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.63 RCW to read as follows:
     To facilitate the creation of companies based on university research, the state universities are authorized to establish and administer bridge-funding programs for start-up companies using funds from the federal government and the private sector.

Sec. 3   RCW 42.52.160 and 1996 c 213 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) No state officer or state employee may employ or use any person, money, or property under the officer's or employee's official control or direction, or in his or her official custody, for the private benefit or gain of the officer, employee, or another.
     (2) This section does not prohibit the use of public resources to benefit others as part of a state officer's or state employee's official duties.
     (3) To facilitate the formation of companies from universities, university research employees may make reasonable use of the university's facilities, services, and commercialization resources to benefit these start-up companies.
     (4) The appropriate ethics boards may adopt rules providing exceptions to this section for occasional use of the state officer or state employee, of de minimis cost and value, if the activity does not result in interference with the proper performance of public duties.