AN ACT Relating to technology development and commercialization; amending RCW 28B.20.285; adding a new section to chapter 43.31 RCW; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the development and commercialization of new technology is a vital part of economic development. This state has excellent research facilities in its two state universities, several public and private colleges, and several private research facilities. The Washington technology center, using public and private funds, targets research toward proof of concepts developed from basic research that may have commercial potential.

For positive economic development to occur, the new technology developed in part through public investment must create or maintain jobs in this state through new products or enhancements to existing technology. The key to the success of the commercialization of new technology is creating or expanding businesses to utilize the technology developed. There is a need in Washington state for improvement in the development and commercialization of new technology and for increased coordination between the various organizations involved.

It is the purpose of this act to provide for an evaluation of the science and technology needs of Washington state in general, and the state's role in the development and commercialization of new technology in particular. It is also the purpose of this act to improve the involvement of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized business in the state's technology development efforts, including providing information and technical assistance to obtain resources and capital to develop products through the commercialization of research being done at the universities, colleges, and the Washington technology center.

Sec. 2. Section 11, chapter 72, Laws of 1983 1st ex. sess. and RCW 28B.20.285 are each amended to read as follows:

A Washington ((~~high-technology~~)) technology center is created at the University of Washington. The Washington ((~~high-technology~~)) technology center shall ((~~provide~~)):

(1) Provide an interdisciplinary program to support major high-technology education and research initiatives within the state;

(2) Provide the resources necessary for research and development programs in high technology;

(3) Provide quality training for advanced undergraduate and graduate students throughout the state in high technology; ((~~and~~))

(4) Provide interdisciplinary approaches to instruction and research in high-technology fields;

(5) Provide that unencumbered technology be made available to new or existing businesses in this state first;

(6) Provide technical assistance to new or existing small businesses in this state using technology developed by the Washington technology center;

(7) Coordinate the involvement of higher education schools and businesses throughout the state in technology development, transfer, and commercialization; and

(8) Provide for the protection of technology developed at the Washington technology center that is owned by the Washington technology center for the benefit of this state.

The Washington ((~~high-technology~~)) technology center shall be administered by the ((~~board of regents with the advice of the high-technology coordinating board~~)) director of the department of trade and economic development. The University of Washington shall make the facilities of the Washington ((~~high-technology~~)) technology center available to other institutions of higher education when specific program needs so require.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The department shall contract to have an evaluation completed on the current public structure or process for managing the state's science and technology interests, including the identification of short and long-term opportunities and risks. The evaluation shall focus on the economic development and educational implications of an inadequate public sector structure or process regarding science and technology in Washington state.

(2) The department shall contract with a national expert on public sector involvement in science and technology and the utilization of applied research to support economic development.

(3) The evaluation shall analyze, among other things:

(a) The current public and private sector science and technology efforts in Washington state;

(b) The current public and private sector technology development, transfer, and commercialization efforts in Washington state;

(c) The current university-industry and private-public sector relationships in science and technology in Washington state;

(d) The extent to which the efforts in (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection are organized and coordinated on a state-wide basis;

(e) The current public sector efforts to transfer or protect new technology, including (i) the office of technology transfer at the University of Washington, (ii) the Washington research foundation, and (iii) the Washington State University research foundation; and

(f) The Washington technology center, created under RCW 28B.20.285, by conducting a comprehensive program strategy evaluation assessing the accomplishments and activities of the center regarding its perceived goals and objectives. The program strategy evaluation shall consider, but not be limited to:

(i) The science and technology areas focused on by the center in relation to the strengths and opportunities in the region and the state;

(ii) The economic impact of the Washington technology center to date;

(iii) Access to the Washington technology center throughout the state and by small and medium-sized businesses;

(iv) The commercialization of the Washington technology center's new technology;

(v) Whether the research is basic or applied and academically driven or industry-driven; and

(vi) The quality of the research.

(4) The evaluation required under this section shall include recommendations to the governor and the legislature. The recommendations shall be based on the reviews conducted under subsection (3) of this section and shall consider the efforts of other states in science and technology. The recommendations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(a) What structures the state should consider to most effectively identify and manage its science and technology interests;

(b) How the state can better coordinate public and private efforts in science and technology, particularly technology development and commercialization;

(c) How the state can encourage and facilitate a greater number of entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses having input and access to the Washington technology center, as well as access to commercially promising research being done at the state's universities and colleges;

(d) How the state can better assist businesses start-up and expand to develop commercially promising technology into products and processes that result in more jobs and capital in the state;

(e) How public funds invested in science and technology can be effectively accounted for and evaluated; and

(f) Should the Washington technology center's structure or goals be changed based on the evaluation under subsection (3)(f) of this section.

(5) The department shall submit the evaluation and recommendations to the legislature and the governor by December 1, 1990.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.31 RCW to read as follows:

The department in conjunction with the Washington technology center, shall utilize the resources in other agencies, including computerized data, and the department's business assistance programs, distressed area programs, business start-up programs, and other programs to market the technology developed by the Washington technology center and to encourage business start-up, modernization, and product development from the technology developed at the Washington technology center.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the department of trade and economic development for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, to carry out the purposes of section 3 of this act.