Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Technology & Economic Development Committee |
HB 1670
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Spurring agricultural innovations.
Sponsors: Representatives Walkinshaw, Schmick, Blake, Fagan, Pettigrew, Lytton and Tharinger.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/4/15
Staff: Kirsten Lee (786-7133).
Background:
Bio 21.
In 2002, at the request of Governor Locke, leaders from Washington's research institutions, industry, government, and the community developed the framework known as "Bio 21." Bio 21 calls for the state to direct a combination of public and private funds to the research sector to support research and commercialization of life science and information technology. In 2003, the Legislature provided funds from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement to support further development of this initiative.The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement is an agreement between 46 states, the District of Columbia, six territories, and five major tobacco product manufacturers. Under the agreement, participating manufacturers agree to make specified payments to the state and agree to abide by extensive public health restrictions on the advertisement, promotion, and marketing of cigarettes. In exchange, the state agreed to release the participating manufacturers from claims by the states. Of that settlement, Washington is expected to receive approximately $4 billion over a period of 25 years.
Life Sciences Discovery Fund.
In 2005, the Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) was created to promote life science research in Washington. The LSDF was authorized to receive tobacco settlement strategic contribution payments and leverages these state contribution payments by providing grant opportunities to support life sciences research and development.
"Life Science Research" Defined.
For the purpose of the LSDF, "life science research" is defined as advanced and applied research and development related to health care outcomes, particularly in areas such as diagnosis and treatment of disease, medical devices and imaging, and software for use in clinical settings. This can include laboratory and clinical research and proof of concept development.
Life Sciences Discovery Fund Authority Grants.The LSDF Authority has the power to provide grants to entities pursuant to a contract for the promotion of life sciences research to be conducted in the state. The Authority solicits requests for funding and evaluates the requests by considering the following factors:
the quality of the proposed research;
the potential for leveraging additional funding;
the potential to provide health care benefits;
the potential to stimulate health care delivery, biomedical manufacturing, and life sciences related employment in the state;
the geographic diversity of the grantees within Washington; and
evidence of public and private collaboration.
In addition to considering these factors, the Authority has the power to adopt policies and procedures to facilitate the process of reviewing and awarding grants. The Authority can also create one or more advisory boards consisting of scientists, industrialists, and others familiar with life science research.
Summary of Bill:
"Life science research" Defined.
The definition of "life sciences research" is expanded to include agricultural crop and animal sciences research. Life Sciences Discovery Fund Authority Grants.
The LSDF Authority is able to consider a grant applicant's potential to provide improvements in agricultural production and animal sciences, health care benefits, as a factor in deciding whether to grant funding.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 30, 2015.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.