S-5927.1                   _______________________________________________

                                      SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 8427

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1994 Regular Session

By Senators Skratek, Cantu, Williams, Bluechel, M. Rasmussen and Erwin

Read first time 3/8/94.

Attempting to attract technology-based businesses to Washington State.

          WHEREAS, 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; and

          WHEREAS, The fostering and development of innovative technology-based businesses in this state and the proper education and training of individuals to work for the 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; and

          WHEREAS, Other states have established programs and policies seeking to attract and retain technology-based businesses; and

          WHEREAS, 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;

          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the Senate of the state of Washington, the House of Representatives concurring, That the Senate Trade, Technology, and Economic Development committee and the House of Representatives Trade, Economic Development and Housing Committee in cooperation with the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development develop a state-wide technology strategy.  The strategy shall include 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 the course of developing the strategy, the committees and 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 the patents at institutions of higher education; and the impact of having state research universities shift from conducting research with no apparent industrial application to applied research for commercial and industrial application by businesses in the state; and

          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the committees and the department submit the state-wide technology strategy to the legislature on December 1, 1994.

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