H-1628              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1001

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Ebersole, Heavey, Holland, Jacobsen, Jesernig and Prince

Read first time 2/18/87 and referred to Committee on Higher Education.

AN ACT Relating to additional laboratory equipment for the state's research universities; and adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     A shortage of high-quality laboratory equipment in the research universities of this state is a limiting factor on the modern instruction needed in technology-related fields to maintain industrial competitiveness and spur economic development in the state.  This problem can be at least partially solved by encouraging donations of modern laboratory equipment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:

          (1) "Modern laboratory equipment" shall mean laboratory equipment that is useful in the course of postsecondary and graduate instruction or research, and is comparable to laboratory equipment currently used in private industry, not-for-profit organizations, or government laboratories.  Such laboratory equipment must retain at least one-half of its useful life at the time of donation.

          (2) "Technology-related fields" shall mean the fields of engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, and computer sciences.

          (3) "Donation" shall mean an unencumbered transfer.

          (4) "Recipient university" shall mean either the University of Washington or Washington State University, as the case may be.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     (1) After receiving a donation of modern laboratory equipment useful in one or more technology-related fields, the recipient university shall promptly have the fair market value of such equipment assessed by a qualified, independent expert; however, when the price of the donated equipment is listed in current catalogs or price lists, an independent expert need not be used.  The assessed fair market value of such equipment or the listed value shall then be reported by the recipient university to the department of trade and economic development, along with such other information as the department deems necessary.

          (2) Upon receipt of a report pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the department shall forthwith distribute to such recipient university, pursuant to appropriation, an amount equal to the fair market value of such donated equipment.  Such money shall be used for the operation and maintenance of such donated equipment, or for the acquisition of additional modern laboratory equipment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 28B RCW.