Chapter 254

2006 -- S 2997 AS AMENDED

Enacted 07/03/06

 

A N  A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- THE SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COUNCIL

     

     

     Introduced By: Senators Walaska, DaPonte, Sheehan, and Bates

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2006

 

 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Title 42 of the General Laws entitled "STATE AFFAIRS AND

GOVERNMENT" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

 

     CHAPTER 143

THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COUNCIL

 

     42-143-1. Council established. – There is hereby created a Rhode Island science and

technology advisory council to consist of thirteen (13) members: three (3) of whom shall be

appointed by the governor, with two (2) of those so appointed to be designated by the governor as

co-chairs; six (6) of whom shall be the members of the science and technology advisory council,

as established by executive order 05-07; one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the

house of representatives; one of whom shall be appointed by the house minority leader; and one

of whom shall be appointed by the president of the senate; and one of whom shall be appointed

by the senate minority leader. The membership of said council shall receive no compensation for

their services. The council shall support the state's research institutions, promote entrepreneurial

development, enable all organizations to become more innovative, and perform any other

advisory functions as the legislature may designate.

 

     42-143-2. Terms of office. – The members shall be appointed for terms of four (4) years

except that the initial terms shall be as follows: six (6) members originally appointed pursuant to

executive order shall serve initial terms of six (6) years; one of the house and one of the senate

appointees shall serve initial terms of five (5) years; the governors appointees shall serve initial

terms of four (4) years; and the other of the house and senate appointees shall serve initial terms

of three (3) years; no member shall serve for more than two (2) concurrent terms.

 

     42-143-3. Authority to accept grants. – The council is authorized to accept state grants

or appropriations, or private monies, for its operational purposes. In addition to any of its other

powers and responsibilities, the council is authorized and empowered to accept any grants made

available by the United States government or any agency of the United States Government and

the council, with the approval of the governor, is authorized and empowered to perform these acts

and enter into all necessary contracts and agreements with the United States or any agency of the

United States government as may be necessary in the manner and degree as shall be deemed to be

in the best interest of the state.

 

     42-143-4. Reporting. – The council shall in the month of December of each year submit a

report to the Governor and to each chamber of the general assembly detailing its activities in that

year and providing recommendations to enhance science, technology, and innovation in the state

and suggesting ways in which the leaders of the state can play a more active and pivotal role in

creating an innovation economy that produces better jobs, better services, and better solutions to

the problems facing the communities of the state. Said report shall be posted electronically on the

General Assembly and Secretary of State websites as prescribed in section 42-20-8.2 of the

Rhode Island General Laws.

 

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

     

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LC02942

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