BILL REQ. #:  S-4864.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/02/06.   

     AN ACT Relating to a study of successful United States biotechnology and biomedical device business clusters by the joint legislative audit and review committee; and adding a new section to chapter 44.28 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 44.28 RCW to read as follows:
     The joint legislative audit and review committee shall evaluate the competitive business climate for encouraging a sustainable and mature biotechnology and medical device manufacturing sector. The committee shall review the biotechnology and medical device manufacturing businesses in the areas listed in subsection (2) of this section and identify the best practices in economic development and public policy to identify the measures Washington should take to encourage the formation and maturation, from start-up to commercial business activity, of biotechnology and medical device manufacturing businesses in Washington.
     (1) The questions to be answered by this study may include, but are not limited to, the following:
     (a) Which biotechnology and medical device manufacturing clusters have rapidly expanded and why;
     (b) What role did state government play in creating an environment that encouraged business growth;
     (c) What incentives should Washington put in place to encourage a sustainable biotechnology and medical device manufacturing sector;
     (d) What aspects of these industries provide the greatest economic benefits;
     (e) What program should Washington establish to develop this business sector.
     (2) The areas to be studied are:
     (a) Boston, Massachusetts;
     (b) San Diego, California;
     (c) Greater San Francisco, California;
     (d) Greater Los Angeles, California;
     (e) Greater Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina;
     (f) Chicago, Illinois;
     (g) Minneapolis, Minnesota; and
     (h) Seattle, Washington.
     (3) The report shall be delivered to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 15, 2006.