H-360                _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1640

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1989 Regular Session

By Representatives Jacobsen, Miller, Nelson, O'Brien and P. King

Read first time 2/1/89 and referred to Committees on Higher Education/Appropriations.

AN ACT Relating to the Washington research grant program; adding new sections to chapter 28B.10 RCW; and making an appropriation.

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, higher education research capabilities are increasingly important.  Through competitive grants, the legislature intends to create a positive environment for innovative research by the state higher education institutions.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The Washington research grant program is established.  The higher education coordinating board shall administer the program.  Subject to the availability of funds, 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, as provided in this act.  Grants shall not be awarded to replace or supplant research activities already funded in whole or part by state appropriations.

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 the research proposals;

          (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 grants awarded to the governor and to the appropriate policy committees and ways and means committees of the legislature beginning December 1, 1989, 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 Washington research program fund is hereby established in the custody of the state treasurer.  All funds appropriated to carry out the purposes of sections 2 and 3 of this act or received under section 4 of this act by the higher education coordinating board shall be deposited in the fund.  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.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     The sum of four million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the higher education coordinating board for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.     Sections 1  through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 28B.10 RCW.