The state Senate yesterday approved legislation reauthorizing the funding mechanism for a key WSU Spokane research partner.
The 12-year-old Health Sciences and Service Authority of Spokane County helps drive funding to support life and health sciences research. For instance, the HSSA is a partner in WSU’s new Gleason Institute for Neuroscience. It has also helped fund the development of laboratory spaces for WSU researchers.
The HSSA’s funding comes from a local sales tax that is credited against the state sales tax. That authority expires Jan. 1, 2023.
Senate Bill 5596, which is supported by WSU, would extend that authority to Jan. 1, 2038. It was approved by the Senate Monday 48-0 and now heads to the House.
You can watch floor debate below.