5579-S2 AMH TEH H4434.1

5579-S2 AMH TEH H4434.1

2SSB 5579 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Trade, Economic Development & Housing

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds:

(1) The growth and development of innovative, technology-based businesses in Washington is necessary to ensure progress and increase the productivity in key areas of our economy, such as advanced computing, advanced materials, agriculture, forest products, telecommunications, environmental technology, biotechnology, electronic device technology, and manufacturing;

(2) The fostering and development of innovative technology-based businesses in this state and the proper education and training of individuals to work for such businesses is necessary to assure the growth and stability of the state's economy, adequate employment opportunities providing livable wages, the protection of the environment, and the general welfare of the citizens of this state;

(3) Other states have established programs and policies seeking to attract and retain technology-based businesses; and

(4) It is critical that the state develop a state-wide technology strategy that seeks to identify the mechanisms for attracting, developing, and strengthening technology-based industries in the state of Washington and using new technologies in the operation of state government.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The department shall develop a state-wide technology strategy. The department shall specifically examine and develop policies related to: Strengthening research and development partnerships between industry, academia, and government; developing a work force that is educated and skilled to work in technology-based industries; identifying capital funding options for technology-based companies; creating incentives for the start-up of technology-based companies; and expanding and coordinating industrial modernization, technology transfer, and product commercialization programs for small and medium-sized businesses. In addition, the department shall examine: The performance and cost-effectiveness of existing state technology programs including, but not limited to, the Washington technology center; whether the current organizational structure of the Washington technology center and other state technology programs result in these programs meeting the needs and expectations of businesses in this state; whether the patent and royalty percentage to professors and scientists working for institutions of higher education should be increased; whether ownership and possession of patents can or should be given to scientists conducting research leading to such patents at institutions of higher education; and the impact of having state research universities shift from conducting research in state-supported technology centers with no apparent industrial application to applied research for commercial and industrial application by businesses in the state. The department shall submit the strategy to the executive legislative committee on economic development for review.

(2) As used in this section, "technology-based industries" includes, but is not limited to, businesses in advanced computing, advanced materials, biotechnology, electric device technology, environmental technology, agriculture, forest products, telecommunications, and manufacturing."