HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5982

As Reported by House Committee On:

Higher Education

Title: An act relating to the joint center for aerospace technology innovation.

Brief Description: Creating the joint center for aerospace technology innovation.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Economic Development, Trade & Innovation (originally sponsored by Senators Kastama, Shin, Hobbs, Harper, Eide, Kilmer, Conway, Sheldon, Haugen, Kohl-Welles, Frockt, Keiser, Fain, Tom, Chase and McAuliffe; by request of Governor Gregoire).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Higher Education: 2/16/12, 2/20/12 [DPA].

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 15 members: Representatives Seaquist, Chair; Carlyle, Vice Chair; Haler, Ranking Minority Member; Parker, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Asay, Crouse, Fagan, Hasegawa, Pollet, Reykdal, Sells, Springer, Warnick, Wylie and Zeiger.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Buys.

Staff: Madeleine Thompson (786-7304).

Background:

According to a 2009 study conducted for the Snohomish County Economic Development Council, there are over 250 aerospace companies in Washington and the business activity generated results in over $36 billion in economic value to the state. When aerospace suppliers are included the number of Washington aerospace companies grows to 600.

The study also found that Washington is the highest per capita aerospace employer of all the states, with 44 jobs per 1,000 workers and that aerospace accounts for nearly one-sixth of Washington’s Gross State Product.

In response to global competition, a number of states have developed strategies to strengthen academic/industry collaboration, including research development, to support their aerospace industry.

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Summary of Amended Bill:

The Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (Center) is created to pursue joint industry-university research that can be used in aerospace firms, enhance the education of engineering students, and work with the aerospace industry to identify research needs and opportunities to transfer off-the-shelf technologies. The Center is to operate as a multi-institutional center under the joint authority of the University of Washington and Washington State University. In order to meet industry needs, the facilities and resources of the Center must be made available to all public baccalaureate institutions. Resources include, but are not limited to, internships, on-the-job training, and research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty.

The Center will have a board of directors appointed by the Governor, representing a cross-section of the aerospace industry and higher education. The board is to:

• Ÿhire an executive director;

• identify research areas to benefit the aerospace industry in Washington;

• identify entrepreneurial researchers and the steps the universities will take to recruit such researchers;

• assist firms to integrate existing technologies into their operations;

• align the Center's activities with those of Impact Washington and Innovate Washington;

• ensure that students enrolled in an aerospace engineering curriculum have direct experience with aerospace firms;

• assist researchers and firms in guarding intellectual property;

• promote collaboration between industry and faculty; and

• develop non-state support for research.

By June 30, 2013, the board is to develop an operating plan that includes specifics on how the Center will accomplish its duties. The board is to provide a biennial report to the Legislature and the Governor. The Center may solicit funds from a variety of sources to carry out its obligations.

The provisions of the bill are subject to funds appropriated for this purpose as required by the null and void clause.

Amended Bill Compared to Substitute Bill:

All public baccalaureate institutions must have access to the facilities and resources of the Center in order to meet aerospace industry needs. Resources include, but are not limited to, internships, on-the-job training, and research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty.

A null and void clause is added.

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed. However, the bill is null and void unless funded in the budget.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is part of Washington's effort to make sure airplane manufacturing stays and grows in Washington. This bills tries to bring aerospace technology to the northwest and have aerospace technology be centered in the northwest. We want to make sure aerospace companies can meet their technology needs in the northwest. This will be a collaborative effort. We must invest in this technology or someone else will. This is vital to the future of the state. Other states and other countries are competing with Washington to conduct research that supports the aerospace industry. A dynamic Center can bring the researchers, the students, and the industry together to develop the next generation of ideas for the next generation of planes. The Center would be seen as a place to go for the aerospace industry to find out about and engage in research. The purpose of the Center is for cross-collaboration to the benefit of the aerospace industry.

We would like to see a more explicit reference to the collaboration of all public baccalaureate institutions and access to the internship opportunities for our graduate and undergraduate students in plastics, manufacturing, and electrical engineering. Aerospace programs at some public baccalaureate institutions come at a lower cost than others, and are therefore a good deal for the state, and they should be included. There is some value to centering this effort in an institution that already exists.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Kastama, prime sponsor; Leslie Goldstein, Office of the Governor; Sherry Burkey, Western Washington University; and Steve Dupont, Central Washington University.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.