BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to the establishment of an advanced technology network; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds:

(1) The growth and development of small and medium-sized businesses in this state are necessary to ensure the economic health of the state and its citizens;

(2) The development and commercialization of new technology plays an important role in the growth and development of small and medium-sized businesses;

(3) The adoption of new products and processes by existing businesses increases the productivity and competitiveness of these businesses;

(4) There are numerous public and private entities within the state that can assist small and medium-sized businesses in the development and utilization of new products and processes; and

(5) Small and medium-sized businesses are often unaware of the entities that can provide technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization assistance to them.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The department of trade and economic development shall conduct an assessment of the technology transfer, and industrial extension and modernization capabilities existing in all federal, state, and private research institutions, state universities, state community and technical colleges, and state agencies. When possible, the department shall categorize capabilities by the sector served by the activities. This assessment shall be used in the development of a state-wide advanced technology network that shall assist small and medium-sized businesses in accessing and utilizing research and modernization capabilities available in the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The state technology coordinating council is created. It has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Participate in the development of a state-wide advanced technology network that provides access by small and medium-sized businesses to technology transfer, and industrial extension and modernization capabilities available within this state;

(b) Develop consortia of technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization providers;

(c) Improve delivery of technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization services to small and medium-sized businesses within the state;

(d) Identify gaps in the delivery of technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization services to small and medium-sized businesses;

(e) Cooperate in efforts to access federal funding for improving the delivery of technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization services via the advanced technology network;

(f) Work with local economic development providers to improve the delivery of services;

(g) Provide a forum for exchanging information about ongoing research activities occurring within the state; and

(h) Coordinate activities with state-funded business assistance programs.

(2) The department of trade and economic development shall provide the staffing for the state technology coordinating council.

(3) The state technology coordinating council shall consist of the following members: (a) The executive director of the Washington technology center; (b) the executive director of the Spokane intercollegiate research and technology institute; (c) one representative of the office of technology transfer at the University of Washington; (d) one representative of the Washington research foundation at the University of Washington; (e) one representative of the Washington State University research foundation; (f) the director of the advanced technology training center at Edmonds and Everett Community College; (g) one representative from each of the community and technical colleges conducting technology transfer and industrial extension and modernization activities; (h) one representative each from Eastern Washington University and Western Washington University who are involved in technology transfer or industrial extension and modernization activities; (i) one representative of Battelle/Pacific Northwest laboratories; (j) one representative of the Fred Hutchinson research center; (k) the director of the clean Washington center; (l) the director of the forest products division in the department of trade and economic development; (m) one representative of the small business development center; (n) one representative of the business assistance center; (o) one representative of the software association; (p) one representative of the environmental technology association; and (q) one representative of the biotechnology association. Members shall be appointed by the governor.

(4) The department of trade and economic development shall provide an annual report to the governor, the house of representatives trade and housing committee and the senate trade, technology, and economic development committee on the activities of the state technology coordinating council by January 30th of each year.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 2 and 3 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.