HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40
(By Delegates Beach and Mezzatesta)
Requesting that the Legislature of West Virginia recognize the
West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research (WV EPSCoR) under the University of West Virginia
system and under the Department of Education and the Arts;
and that the Joint Committee on Education and Finance, with
the cooperation of WV EPSCoR, conduct an interim study to
plan for the development of the West Virginia Science and
Technology Council.
Whereas, The West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research (WV EPSCoR) is part of a federally-funded
program, initiated by the National Science Foundation, and
supported by other federal agencies, to assist selected states in
improving their capabilities in science, engineering and
technology; and
Whereas, The national EPSCoR program gives each state the
responsibility to devise a science and technology strategy which
builds the State's educational and industrial capabilities and
furthers its development policy; and
Whereas, Through its success in obtaining federal and state
funds, WV EPSCoR has significantly strengthened the scientific,
engineering, and technical capability at institutions of higher
education in this State and has enhanced West Virginia industry's
effort to build technical capability in science and engineering;
and
Whereas, The National Science Foundation has provided funds
to WV EPSCoR to take the initiative in formulating a West
Virginia Science and Technology Strategy and to develop a West
Virginia Science and Technology Council; and
Whereas, The mission of the West Virginia Science and
Technology Council will be to strengthen and enhance the State's
science and technology infrastructure, including research and
development, and to fully integrate science and technology
advancements into the State's industrial and economic development
strategies; and
Whereas, Governor Gaston Caperton has instructed WV EPSCoR to
move forward in developing a West Virginia Science and Technology
Council; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature of West Virginia recognize WV EPSCoR
under the University of West Virginia system and under the
Department of Education and the Arts; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature identify financial
resources in the State
of West Virginia which will provide
matching funds to meet the cost-share requirements of the
National Science Foundation and other federal agency grants; and,
be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature seek state matching
funds to capture federal grants available in FY 1996; and, to
seek matching funds for federal funds awarded for the development
of a West Virginia Science and Technology Strategy; and, be it
Further Resolved, That funds be requested in the amount of
$1,530,700 to be placed in the accounts of the office of the
Chancellor of the University of West Virginia System with full
authority, by letter of request from WV EPSCoR, to the Chancellor
to transfer such funds to the appropriate institutions of higher
education as the office of the Chancellor shall determine to be
necessary for the proper administration of the WV EPSCoR program;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Education and
Finance, with the cooperation of WV EPSCoR, conduct an interim
study to plan for the development of the West Virginia Science
and Technology Council and report to the regular session of the
Legislature, 1996, on its findings, conclusions and
recommendations, and to include with its report drafts of anyproposed legislation, regulations or resolutions necessary to
effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct
this study, to prepare a report and to draft any proposed
legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint
Committee on Education and Finance.