SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 49

(By Senators Scott and Oliverio)




Requesting that the joint committee on government and finance
conduct an interim study whether the West Virginia experimental program to stimulate competitive research (WV EPSCoR) should remain a part of the university of West Virginia system, be placed under the department of education and the arts or be placed under the department of commerce, labor and natural resources and whether WV EPSCoR should become a public-private partnership and/or be better financed by the state government.

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 states in improving their capability 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 joint committee on government and finance investigate the current placement of the WV EPSCoR under the university of West Virginia system and consider an alternative placement under the department of education and the arts or department of commerce, labor and natural resources; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee identify financial resources in the state of West Virginia which will provide matching funds to meet the cost-share requirements of national science foundation grants and other federal agency grants; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the committee seek state matching funds to capture federal grants already authorized for fiscal year one thousand nine hundred ninety-six; 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 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 government and finance 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 legislative appropriations to the joint committee on government and finance.