SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 38
(By Senators Manchin and Oliverio)
Requesting the joint committee on government and finance to
conduct an interim study to plan for the development of the
West Virginia science and technology council.
Whereas, The West Virginia experimental program to simulate
competitive research 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 experimental program to simulate
competitive research 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, the West Virginia experimental program to simulate
competitive research has significantly strengthened the
scientific, engineering and technical capability at institutions
of higher education in this state and has enhanced West
Virginia's industry's effort to build technical capability in
science and engineering; and
Whereas, The national science foundation has provided funds
to the West Virginia experimental program to simulate competitive
research 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, The governor of West Virginia has instructed the
West Virginia experimental program to simulate competitive
research 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 recognizes the West Virginia
experimental program to simulate competitive research under the
University of West Virginia system and under the department of
education and the arts; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature seeks state matching
funds to capture federal grants available in fiscal year one
thousand nine hundred ninety-five; and to seek matching funds for federal funds awarded for the development of a West Virginia
science and technology plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That funds be requested in the amount of
one million five hundred thirty thousand seven hundred dollars 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 West Virginia experimental program to simulate
competitive research, 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 West Virginia experimental program to
simulate competitive research program; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the joint committee on government and
finance ask the West Virginia experimental program to simulate
competitive research program to 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 any proposed 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 the legislative appropriations to the
joint committee on government and finance.