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Senate committee advances bill to create state research institute, authorize $6 billion in bonds
Summary
The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee advanced SB 6321, which would create the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement and authorize up to $6 billion in general-obligation bonds to back state research grants and facilities; witnesses from UW, WSU and unions said federal funding cuts have destabilized research careers and projects.
The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee recommended SB 6321 “do pass” after a public hearing in which university leaders, early-career researchers and union representatives urged the Legislature to provide a backstop for federal research funding.
Kelly Gunn, committee staff, told members the bill would authorize the state finance committee to issue up to $6,000,000,000 in general-obligation bonds, with issuance limited to $1,000,000,000 per year for six years beginning in 2027, and would create the Washington Institute for Scientific Advancement within the Department of Commerce to award grants and support research facilities. Gunn said sections of the act that create the institute and authorize the debt must go to voters at the next general election under the Washington State Constitution.
Senator Slaughter, the bill’s prime sponsor, framed SB 6321 as a response to what she described as “dangerous and politicized attacks…
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