AN ACT Relating to the Washington state science foundation grant program; amending RCW 67.70.240; adding a new section to chapter 67.70 RCW; adding a new chapter to Title 28B RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature is dedicated to improving the quality of higher education in this state and reaffirms its commitment to an excellent system of higher education. As the state enters the twenty-first century and expands its role in the global economy, the quality, accessibility, and efficacy of higher educational research capabilities is increasingly important. The legislature recognizes the need and the importance for each institution to explore new knowledge. Through grants, the legislature intends to create a positive environment for innovative research opportunities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The Washington state science foundation grant program is established. The higher education coordinating board shall administer the program. Through this program the board may award research grants to state institutions of higher education or consortia of institutions, on a competitive basis, to encourage creative research activities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The higher education coordinating board shall have the following powers and duties in administering the program:

(1) To adopt rules necessary to carry out the program;

(2) To establish one or more screening committees to assist in the evaluation of proposals for funding. The screening committee shall include individuals with significant academic research experience and the capability of assessing the potential significance of its research proposals. No grants may be awarded to any institution or consortia of institutions that might be used to replace or supplant research activities already funded in whole or part by state appropriations;

(3) To establish each biennium specific guidelines for submitting grant proposals consistent with the overall goals of the program;

(4) To publish evaluation criteria which shall include special recognition of proposals utilizing additional resources from private or institutional resources;

(5) To solicit grant proposals and provide information to the institutions of higher education about the program;

(6) To establish reporting and monitoring requirements for the recipients of the grants; and

(7) To provide an annual report on awards granted and programs initiated through the Washington fund for excellence in higher education to the governor and to the appropriate policy committees and ways and means committees of the legislature beginning December 1, 1988, and each December 1 thereafter for the duration of the program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The higher education coordinating board may solicit and receive such gifts, grants, and endowments from public or private sources as may be made from time to time, in trust or otherwise, for the use and benefit of the purposes of the program and may expend the same or any income therefrom according to the terms of the gifts, grants, or endowments.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The state science foundation fund is hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer. The higher education coordinating board shall deposit in the fund all moneys received under sections 4 and 7 of this act. Moneys in the fund may be spent only for the purposes of sections 2 and 3 of this act. Disbursements from the fund shall be on the authorization of the higher education coordinating board. The fund is subject to the allotment procedure provided under chapter 43.88 RCW, but no appropriation is required for disbursements.

Sec. 6. Section 24, chapter 7, Laws of 1982 2nd ex. sess. as last amended by section 7, chapter 513, Laws of 1987 and RCW 67.70.240 are each amended to read as follows:

The moneys in the state lottery account shall be used only: (1) For the payment of prizes to the holders of winning lottery tickets or shares; (2) for purposes of making deposits into the reserve account created by RCW 67.70.250 and into the lottery administrative account created by RCW 67.70.260; (3) for purposes of making deposits into the state's general fund; (4) ((~~for purposes of making deposits into the housing trust fund under the provisions of section 7 of this 1987 act;~~)) for purposes of making deposits into the state science foundation fund established in section 5 of this 1988 act; (5) for the purchase and promotion of lottery games and game-related services; and (6) for the payment of agent compensation.

The office of financial management shall require the allotment of all expenses paid from the account and shall report to the ways and means committees of the senate and house of representatives any changes in the allotments.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 67.70 RCW to read as follows:

The lesser of either twenty-five million dollars deposited into the state general fund by transfer from the state lottery account or thirty-three percent of the funds deposited into the state general fund by transfer from the state lottery account shall be transferred annually into the state science foundation fund.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.