BILL REQ. #:  S-2637.1 

Read first time 03/08/2007.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to the establishment of collaborative life science learning centers; adding new sections to chapter 28A.300 RCW; creating a new section; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes it is critically important for Washingtonians to invest in life science learning centers in order to move Washington forward and maintain the state's position as a world leader in the industries dependent on higher levels of life science research and learning.
     The legislature finds that it is critical to support new and growing sectors of our economy such as the life sciences and lay a foundation that will help the private sector to succeed. It is important to stimulate interest in the life science fields, to improve workers' skills and articulate life science learning with all levels of public education, the community, and other state agencies that can connect the learning with economic development.
     The legislature further finds that it is critical to provide skills for the state's citizens in the changing economy by providing learning opportunities at the community level for more people. Traditional funding levels should be enhanced, accelerated construction and operation of life science learning must occur, and knowledge transfer must be involved.
     It is important for Washington, as part of its strategy to fulfill a life sciences vision to assure Washington's citizens and companies are uniquely positioned as world leaders in the life sciences, to stir the minds of our childrens' interest in life sciences. It is also important to provide first-hand hands-on instruction, and stimulating community-based learning opportunities that steer young people into the life sciences employment fields.
     Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to develop and fund the construction and operation of life science learning centers in strategic communities in Washington state. These centers, like current education skill centers, must be community-based and demonstrate multiple local partnerships, including local public school districts and community colleges, to assure community connectedness. These centers must also offer geographic and natural resource uniqueness to assure that the physical locations of these centers foster educational opportunities and stimulation. It is also necessary to provide an articulated education program at life science learning centers that will include the educational interaction between students of all ages with each other and with established life science professionals to assure the transfer of knowledge, the encouragement of younger people to enter life sciences fields, as well as networking and mentoring. Special consideration should be given to communities that also have a four-year public institution of higher education that has an emphasis on life sciences, natural sciences, or both.
     The legislature furthermore declares that life science learning centers should receive unique and enriched capital and operational funds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the department of community, trade, and economic development, shall establish a competitive process to solicit proposals for and prioritize collaborative life science learning center capital projects for potential funding in the state capital budget. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall adopt rules governing project eligibility and evaluation criteria.
     (2) Application for funding of specific projects may be made to the office of the superintendent of public instruction by collaborative partnerships formed to deliver life science educational programs. Such partnerships must include at least one public school district. Other partnering entities may include, but are not limited to, local governments, state natural resource agencies, community colleges, nonprofit corporations, tribal governments, and other entities, as determined by the office of the superintendent of public instruction.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction, with the advice of leaders in life sciences fields, including but not limited to representatives from state natural resource agencies, private business, public community and technical colleges, as well as public baccalaureate institutions, shall establish and submit a prioritized list of life science learning center capital projects to the governor and the legislature in the office of the superintendent of public instruction's biennial capital budget request beginning with the 2009-2011 biennium, and each biennium thereafter. The list shall include a description of each project, proposed life science curriculum, start-up and ongoing operational costs, and the amount of recommended state capital budget funding. The prioritized list shall be developed through open and public meetings.
     (4) After the legislature has approved a specific list of projects, the department of community, trade, and economic development shall develop and manage appropriate contracts with the selected applicants. The department shall not sign contracts or otherwise financially obligate funds under this section until the legislature has approved a specific list of projects.
     (5) In contracts for grants authorized under this section, the department of community, trade, and economic development shall include provisions requiring that capital improvements be held by the grantee for a specified period of time appropriate to the amount of the grant and that facilities be used for the express purpose of the grant. If the grantee is found to be out of compliance with provisions of the contract, the grantee shall repay to the state general fund the principal amount of the grant plus interest calculated at the rate of interest on state of Washington general obligation bonds issued most closely to the date of authorization of the grant.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     The state of Washington shall fund collaborative life science learning centers using an enhanced education operating formula, similar to that of skill centers under the public K-12 school system. Operational funding shall flow through the office of the superintendent of public instruction to the participating local school districts. Other participating state natural resource agencies, public community and technical colleges, and universities are also eligible to receive operational funding to nurture their active participation. Part of this funding shall also provide for participation in the administrative operations of these life science learning centers by community-based nonprofit partners.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   The sum of thirteen million two hundred ninety thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 2009, from the state building construction account to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for the construction of the Columbia Springs environmental education center located in Vancouver, Washington.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   The sum of eighteen thousand seven hundred fifty dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, from the general fund to the office of the superintendent of public instruction for operational expenses of the Columbia Springs environmental education center located in Vancouver, Washington. It is the intent of the legislature that enhanced operational funding will be made available upon completion of the project.