Bill > HB2739

This bill, titled the "Sustaining life-saving and prosperity-building scientific research in Washington Act," proposes to establish the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement (WISA) to address a perceived emergency in scientific research funding within the state, which the bill attributes to federal funding cuts. To support this initiative, the bill authorizes the state to issue up to $6 billion in general obligation bonds, with a cap of $1 billion per year between 2025 and 2031, to fund scientific research. The proceeds from these bonds will be deposited into dedicated accounts and used by WISA, an entity created within the Department of Commerce, to award grants for research and development in various fields, including biomedical sciences, climate research, emerging technologies, and public health. WISA will be overseen by an Administrator and a Research Council composed of scientists and public members, and grant awards will be determined through a competitive, peer-reviewed process. The bill also includes provisions for the management of the institute's finances, reporting requirements, and exceptions to public meeting laws for certain sensitive research-related discussions, while ensuring that grant application materials are kept confidential. Finally, key sections of the bill, including the bond authorization and the creation of WISA, will be submitted to a vote of the people for ratification.

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https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2739&Year=2025&Initiative=false