BILL REQ. #:  S-0179.1 

Read first time 01/13/2003.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture.

     AN ACT Relating to agriculture and garden research; adding a new chapter to Title 15 RCW; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The western Washington center for agriculture and garden research is created. The purpose of the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research is to provide statewide leadership in research and extension programs in agriculture and gardening. The western Washington center for agriculture and garden research exists as a quasi-administrative unit of Washington State University, but must be a nonprofit, self-supporting membership organization in its own right.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The western Washington center for agriculture and garden research must require membership dues and accept those gifts, grants, conveyances, devises, and bequests, whether real or personal property, in trust or otherwise, for the use or benefit of the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research; and sell, lease or exchange, invest or expend the same or the proceeds, rents, profits, and income thereof except as limited by the terms of the gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises; and adopt proper rules to govern and protect the receipt and expenditure of the proceeds of all fees, and the proceeds, rents, profits, and income of all gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The western Washington center for agriculture and garden research is to work cooperatively with Washington State University to maximize the use of financial resources in addressing agriculture and gardening issues and enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship for improved quality of life, including, but not limited to:
     (a) Urban plant health care;
     (b) Environmental studies;
     (c) Organic farm and food systems; and
     (d) Human and community development.
     (2) All assets at Washington State University's research and extension centers located in Puyallup and Mt. Vernon must be transferred to the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research created in section 1 of this act by June 30, 2003.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The governance of the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research is vested in a board of directors to consist of ten members. For the first six years of the existence of the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research, the directors must be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate. The directors hold their offices for a term of six years, beginning October 1, 2003. The directors hold their office until their successors are elected by the membership of the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research.
     (2) Six members of the board of directors constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the case of a vacancy, the governor must fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of the director whose position has been vacated.
     (3) Each director must, before entering upon the discharge of his or her respective duties as such, execute a good and sufficient bond to the state of Washington, with two or more sufficient sureties, residents of the state, or with a surety company licensed to do business within the state, in the sum of not less than five thousand dollars, conditioned for the faithful performance of his or her duties as a director. However, the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research must pay any fees incurred for such a bond for the board members. Members of the board must be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The western Washington center for agriculture and garden research must be managed by an administrator hired by the board of directors.
     (1) The board of directors created in section 4 of this act must advise the administrator.
     (2) It is the responsibility of the administrator, in consultation with the board of directors, to:
     (a) Recommend research and extension priorities for the western Washington center for agriculture and garden research;
     (b) Conduct a competitive grants process to solicit, review, and prioritize research and extension proposals; and
     (c) Advise Washington State University on the progress of the development and implementation of research, teaching, and extension programs.
     (3) The western Washington center for agriculture and garden research must cooperate with public and private laboratories.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 1 through 5 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 15 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.