2012 Revised Code of Washington
Title 43 - STATE GOVERNMENT — EXECUTIVE
43.333 Innovate Washington.
43.333.020 Board of directors -- Composition -- Meetings -- Duties.

RCW 43.333.020 Board of directors — Composition — Meetings — Duties.

(1) The powers of innovate Washington are vested in and shall be exercised by a board of directors consisting of:

     (a) The governor of the state of Washington or the governor's designee;     

     (b)(i) The president of the senate shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the senate;

     (ii) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member from each of the two largest caucuses of the house of representatives;

     (c) The president of the University of Washington or the president's designee;

     (d) The president of Washington State University or the president's designee;

     (e) The director of the department of commerce or the director's designee;

     (f) The chairs of the sector advisory committees created under this chapter shall serve as ex officio voting members; and

     (g) Seven members appointed by the governor from among individuals who own or are executives at technology-based and innovative firms in the state; of these members, at least four must be from firms manufacturing in the state. The term of office for each board member appointed by the governor shall be three years except, of the initial appointees, three shall be appointed for one year and three shall be appointed for two years. Members of the board may be appointed for additional terms.

     (2) The board shall meet at least biannually. The initial meeting of the board must occur before December 31, 2011.

     (3) A board member may be removed by the governor for cause under RCW 43.06.070 and 43.06.080. The governor must fill any vacancy on the board by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.

     (4)(a) The appointed members of the board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240 and may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties under this chapter pursuant to RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

     (b) The ex officio members of the board under subsection (1)(a) and (c) through (g) of this section may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties under this chapter pursuant to RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

     (c) Legislative members of the board may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the discharge of their duties under this chapter pursuant to RCW 44.04.120.

     (5) A majority of currently serving board members constitutes a quorum.

     (6) Meetings of the board shall be held in accordance with the open public meetings act, chapter 42.30 RCW, and at the call of the chair or when a majority of the board members so requests. Meetings of the board may be held at any location within or out of the state, and board members may participate in a meeting of the board by means of a conference telephone or similar communication equipment under RCW 23B.08.200.

     (7) The innovate Washington board must:

     (a) Develop operating policies for innovate Washington programs;

     (b) Appoint, and perform an annual performance review of, an executive director;

     (c) Approve an annual operating budget and ensure adequate funding for operations;

     (d) Approve a five-year business plan and its updates;

     (e) Perform the duties required under chapter 70.210 RCW relating to the investing in innovation program;

     (f) Convene representatives of the commercialization and technology transfer offices of private and public research institutions in the state to determine the best methods for:

     (i) Integrating existing databases into a single database of in-state technologies and inventions;

     (ii) Making the technologies in the integrated database accessible; and

     (iii) Promoting the integrated database to entrepreneurs and investors for commercialization and licensing purposes;

     (g) Set performance goals for each program or service established; and

     (h) Provide a report to the governor and the legislature detailing the fund-raising activities and outcomes, operations, economic impact, and performance of innovate Washington. The report is due by December 1st of every year and the first report is due by December 1, 2012. The report must include measures related to customer satisfaction as well as measures of results derived from assistance provided to businesses, including but not limited to manufacturing facilities established in Washington, job creation inside and outside of Washington, new product development, new markets opened and other export measures, the adoption of new production processes, revenue and sales growth, measures that would be included in a balanced scorecard, and such other outcome-based measures as the board determines is appropriate.

     (8) The board may:

     (a) Make and execute agreements, contracts, and other instruments with any private, public, or nonprofit entity for the performance, operation, administration, implementation, or advancement of any program in accordance with this chapter;

     (b) Employ, contract with, or engage staff, advisors, auditors, other technical or professional assistants, and such other personnel as are necessary or desirable to implement this chapter. Staff support for innovate Washington programs may be provided through cooperative agreements with any public or private institution of higher education;

     (c) Solicit and receive gifts, grants, donations, sponsorships, or contributions from any federal, state, or local governmental agency or program or any private source, and expend the same for any purpose consistent with this chapter;

     (d) Establish such:

     (i) Affiliated organizations, that may not be considered state agencies as defined under chapter 43.88 RCW, to facilitate partnerships and program delivery with the private sector;

     (ii) Special funds consistent with the provisions of chapter 43.88 RCW; and

     (iii) Controls as it finds convenient for the implementation of this chapter;

     (e) Create one or more advisory committees;

     (f) Adopt rules consistent with this chapter;

     (g) Delegate any of its powers and duties if consistent with the purposes of this chapter; and

     (h) Exercise any other power reasonably required to implement the purposes of this chapter.

[2011 1st sp.s. c 14 § 2.]