BILL REQ. #:  H-2627.1 

READ FIRST TIME 2/28/07.   

     AN ACT Relating to developing more effective streamlining of technology and innovation in the state of Washington; and adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that Washington state benefits from having a dynamic technology-based economy founded on and sustained by world-class innovations in such areas as software, telecommunications, aerospace, biotechnology, medical instrumentation, energy, and the environment. To assist in the growth of technological innovations, the state has established state-supported institutions, such as the Washington technology center and the Spokane intercollegiate research and technology institute, to foster the acceleration and growth of new products and technologies in the state. Additionally, to promote life sciences research and enhance the competitive position of the state, the legislature created the life sciences discovery fund.
     Also, the legislature finds that due to the fragmentation of state technology efforts and resources and the lack of a technology strategic vision and central coordinating body, the state is hindered in advancing innovation throughout the state. In addition, state technology entities vary significantly in their administrative overhead costs and vary in the methods used to calculate these costs.
     The legislature intends to improve interactions among state technology entities to: Advance and ensure appropriate coordination and collaboration; eliminate duplication of services; set the direction for current and future technology efforts through a strategic planning process and work plan; and establish performance metrics and a prudent administrative overhead rate of no more than thirty-two percent.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   For the purposes of this chapter:
     "State technology entities" means:
     (1) The life sciences discovery fund authority;
     (2) The Spokane intercollegiate research and technology institute;
     (3) The Washington technology center;
     (4) State agencies, boards, institutions, and commissions determined by the governor to have a technology mission;
     (5) Any future technology-based state entity the legislature may establish or the governor may determine to be a technology-based state entity.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) By June 1st of each year with an awareness of the state budget timetable, the governor shall issue a report on the vision for technology development in Washington. The governor shall submit the report to the legislature and to state technology entities. The report must include, but not be limited to:
     (a) A statewide technology strategy, including goals to achieve the governor's vision for technology development in Washington;
     (b) A work plan to implement the governor's statewide technology strategy that details how state technology entities shall collaborate and coordinate with each other; and
     (c) An analysis identifying the most important public policy challenges faced in achieving the vision for technology development in Washington.
     (2) In preparation for the report on the vision for technology development in Washington, the governor shall consult with state technology entities to gather input into the governor's vision for technology development in Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   (1) The boards of state technology entities shall meet at least once a year with an awareness of the state budget timetable to discuss and coordinate (a) activities related to the implementation of the work plan to carry out the governor's statewide technology strategy and (b) other matters related to technology research, technology transfer, and technology commercialization. The boards of state technology entities shall jointly hold at least one meeting in conjunction with a state technology entity board of directors or trustees meeting to maximize efficient use of organizational resources.
     (2) State technology entities shall develop an annual work plan to:
     (a) Ensure collaboration and coordination among state technology entities for current and future technology research, transfer, and commercialization efforts;
     (b) Identify and eliminate duplication of services;
     (c) Assist the governor in developing a report on the vision for technology development in Washington; and
     (d) Implement the governor's vision into their oversight of the various state technology entities.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   (1) By November 30, 2007, the office of financial management shall develop and provide to the legislature:
     (a) Recommendations to provide a single fiscal agent under one budget category for state technology entities;
     (b) Recommendations to adjust the administrative overhead rate charged by these state technology entities to no more than thirty-two percent; and
     (c) A work plan to implement a single fiscal agent for the state technology entities listed under this section and an administrative overhead rate of no more than thirty-two percent for these same entities.
     (2) By August 1, 2008, the executive directors of the state technology entities shall develop jointly a budget for the governor to consider and recommend to the legislature. The joint budget shall consider recommendations made by the office of financial management for state technology entities and other boards, institutions, or commissions as determined under subsection (1)(a) of this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   Sections 1 through 5 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.