A BILL to repeal article one-c, chapter five of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended; and to amend and reenact chapter five-b of said code by adding thereto a new article, designated article two-c, relating to creation of the West Virginia academy of science and technology; declaring the legislative purpose; establishing the academy council; defining the qualifications and selection of members; establishing terms of members; providing that members shall not be entitled to compensation for time or labor; establishing a position of executive director of the council; defining the duties of the council and the executive director; providing for the nomination of fellows of the academy and their participation in working groups of the academy; requiring periodic reports; and providing for confidentiality of trade secrets.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

(a) The Legislature hereby finds that educational and economic development require an integrated program of support for research and development, assistance in the transfer of technological innovations and discoveries to public and private enterprises, and facilitation of the commercialization of intellectual property. To that end, the state recognizes the need for:
(1) Informed analysis of the status of science and technology research, development and commercialization capabilities, infrastructure and activities within West Virginia and the development of innovative options that build upon and expand them with the goal of increasing the gross state product;
(2) Coordination of efforts to attract private and federal assistance for research, development and commercialization in those fields most likely to maximize the gross state product;
(3) Increased collaboration between all of the federal, state and private research and development and technology commercialization organizations in the state;
(4) Strengthening the leadership and support of the West Virginia experimental program to stimulate competitive research; and
(5) Leadership in science and technology policy.
(b) The Legislature therefore declares that creation of a West Virginia academy of science and technology will promote and foster the educational and economic development of the state.

§5B-2C-2. West Virginia academy of science and technology; composition; creation of council, appointment and terms; expenses; selection of chair; executive director; conduct of meetings; and confidentiality .

(a) There is hereby created within the West Virginia development office, a West Virginia academy of science and technology, consisting of a standing council of nine members and ad hoc working groups, as may be necessary to review a particular field of study, comprised of members of the council and such individuals, having expertise within their profession or discipline, who shall be appointed fellows of the academy.
(b) Members of the academy council shall be selected for their demonstrated ability in innovative thinking, management skills, broad technical knowledge, and a record of working to improve the science and technology base of the state. The objective of the process of selection shall be to create a council that, in its composition, represents a broad cross-section of those involved throughout the state's science and technology enterprises. Members of the council shall be selected and appointed as follows:
(1)The governor shall appoint, with advice and consent of the Senate, three, members experienced with, or serving in, federal agencies that promote and utilize research, development and commercialization, from a list of six persons recommended by a nominating committee. The nominating committee shall be organized and lead by a representative from the National Energy Technology Laboratory. It may consist of representatives of United States government agencies, including, but not limited to, the federal departments of Energy, Transportation, Agriculture, Defense and Homeland Security, the National Science Foundation, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration;
(2) The governor shall appoint, with advice and consent of the Senate, three members, with experience and expertise in private enterprise, research and development, and commercialization, from a list of six persons recommended by a nominating committee. The nominating committee shall be organized and lead by the Council for Community and Economic Development. It shall consist of representatives from labor and industry, including, but not limited to, the Economic Development Authority, the Infrastructure Council, the West Virginia High Technology Consortium, and the West Virginia American Federation of Labor - Congress of Industrial Organizations; and
(3) The governor shall appoint, with advice and consent of the Senate, three members, with experience and expertise in stimulating competitive research and development, from a list of not less than six persons recommended by a nominating committee. The nominating committee shall be organized and lead by a representative of the higher education policy commission. It shall consist of representatives from the state institutions of higher education.
(c) The terms of the council members first taking office on or after the effective date of this legislation shall expire as designated by the governor at the time of their appointment, with one term in each of the three categories outlined in subsection (b) of this section expiring at the end of the second year, one term in each category expiring at the end of the fourth year, and one term in each category expiring at the end of the sixth year. As the original appointments expire, each subsequent appointment is for a full six-year term. Any member whose term has expired shall serve until a successor has been duly appointed and qualified. In cases of any vacancy in the office of a member occurring prior to the expiration of that term, the vacancy shall be filled by the governor from a list of three qualified persons recommended by the remaining members of the council. Any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the unexpired term, unless reappointed by the governor for an additional term. If any qualified member is willing and able to continue to serve on the council, he or she may be appointed to a successive term not to exceed two full terms.
(d) Members of the council are not entitled to compensation for services performed as members, but are entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties.
(e) The governor shall select and appoint a member of the council to serve as chair of the body for a term of two years to run concurrently with the term of office of the member designated as chair.

(f) A majority of serving members constitutes a quorum for the purpose of conducting business. The council shall meet at least once each quarter of the year and shall conduct all meetings in accordance with the open governmental meetings law pursuant to article nine-a, chapter six of this code.

(a) The governor is authorized and directed to request and negotiate the loan of a federal executive employee, pursuant to the provisions of the federal Intergovernmental Personnel Act, to serve as the initial executive director of the council.

This person should serve in that capacity for a period of not less than one year. He of she should have training and experience in science, technology research, development, and commercialization and have demonstrated skills in managing new programs. Subsequent executive directors will be selected by the council in consultation with the director of the West Virginia development office. The executive director shall serve at the will and pleasure of the academy council.
(b) In addition to assisting the council and its working groups in the exercise of their duties, the executive director shall:
(1) facilitate and oversee the process for the initial nomination and appointment of council members;
(2) provide and obtain scientific, technical, economic, programmatic information, and market research to support the work of the academy;
(3) foster and maintain relationships between agencies of this state, other states, the federal government, educational institutions, nonprofit organization and private enterprises, for the advancement of research, development, and commercialization;
(4) organize, prepare and lead presentations on science, technology research and development and commercialization for business executives, state legislative leaders and committees, and federal agencies; and
(5) develop yearly work plans for the academy.
(c) The executive director shall be available to the governor, the speaker of the House of Delegates and the president of the Senate, to analyze and comment upon proposed legislation and rules that relate to or materially affect state scientific, technical, and commercialization issues.

§5B-2C-4. Powers and duties of the council of the academy of science and technology

(a) The council may seek public and private research grants and contracts, matching funds and procurement arrangements from the state and federal government, private industry and other agencies, in furtherance of its mission and programs.
(b) The council may, through the West Virginia development office, receive and accept gifts or grants from private foundations, corporations, individuals, devises and bequests or from other lawful sources. The funds shall be paid into a special account in the state treasury to be named "West Virginia academy of science and technology" and which is hereby created. Any moneys received into this account may be expended by the West Virginia development office, without appropriation, for the use and benefit of the West Virginia academy of science and technology within limits and guidelines to be established by a majority vote of the academy council.
(c) The council may select and appoint fellows of the council pursuant to the provision of section five of this article.
(d) The council shall make recommendations to the Governor, the speaker of the House of Delegates and the president of the Senate concerning strategic and specific policies to foster research and development within this state.
(e) The council shall recommend legislation to facilitate improved coordination between state agencies, educational institutions, industries, and research laboratories.
(f) The council may develop and produce written or electronic information to assist researchers in educational institutions or private enterprise in identifying, applying for and obtaining grants, stipends or other financial support for research, development, technology transfer or commercialization of intellectual property.
(g) The council may convene public meetings to gather information or receive public comments regarding the administration and coordination of research and development efforts within this state.
(h) The council may, through the West Virginia development office, enter into contracts or joint venture agreements with federal and state agencies, corporations, partnerships and other organizations that conduct research, make grants, improve educational programs and work for the scientific, educational or economic development of this state. The director of the West Virginia development office and the council shall, by majority vote, approve all contracts and joint venture agreements. The academy may also enter into contractual agreements for consideration even though the entities are funded from sources other than the state. Members of the academy may sit on the boards of directors of any contracting private nonprofit corporation, foundation or firm; provided that members of the council are not exempt from any of the provisions of chapter six-b of this code.

§5B-2C-5. Fellows of the academy of science and technology
(a) In order to address the specific opportunities and needs of any particular field of science and technology, the council may establish working groups composed of a member or members of the council with expertise in that field or discipline and additional individuals, to be known as fellows of the academy of science and technology. Any working group so created may conduct business, research and meetings by telephone, electronic mail or in person and shall not require a quorum to conduct its business. The committee or working group shall submit a report or reports of its findings and recommendations to the council for incorporation in policy recommendations and the annual report of the academy.
(b) Selection of a fellow of the academy shall be made on the basis of the designated individual's experience and expertise in the field to be addressed by the working group and shall be by a majority vote of the serving members of the cabinet. The duration of a term of a fellow of the academy shall be for one year and a term may be renewed by the council as needed.

§5B-2C-6. Periodic reports
(a) The academy shall prepare and produce an annual report on the state of science and technology in West Virginia and submit it to the governor, speaker of the House of Delegates and the president of the Senate on or before the first day of July of each year. The report shall address all aspects of research, development, and commercialization that the academy council deems material, including, but not limited to:
(1) Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to West Virginia's research, development, and commercialization environment and establishments;
(2) Options for actions by the Legislature and the governor to maximize the ability of the state to attract investment, grants and infrastructure development to support growth of science and technology research, development, and commercialization in the state;
(3) The status of, and options to improve, scientific and technological entrepreneurship in West Virginia; and
(4) The status of, and options to improve, the collaboration of institutions of higher education in obtaining competitive research awards and grants;
(b) In preparing its annual report, the council shall utilize its resources as well as the technical support available to it through the West Virginia development office, the West Virginia department for education and arts, the West Virginia experimental program to stimulate competitive research (EPSCoR), the West Virginia higher education system, federal and state agencies, and other appropriate organizations that have an interest in fostering science and technology research, development, and commercialization in West Virginia.
(c) Each month, an academy representative shall meet with legislative and executive leaders to provide updates and information concerning opportunities, issues, and progress of science, technology, and commercialization in the state.
§5B-2C-7. Confidentiality of contributed material

Any documentary material, data or other writing made or received by the West Virginia academy of science and technology for the purpose of developing state summaries or policy options concerning the capabilities, performance, or plans of individual businesses or organizations is deemed to be confidential trade secrets which are exempt from disclosure under the provisions of section four, article one, chapter twenty-nine-b, and the provisions of section one, article two, chapter five-b of this code.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to abolish the existing Science and Technology Council and to establish a new Academy of Science and Technology with sufficient powers and duties to coordinate policy and processes to foster research and development enterprises, and facilitate the increase of grants and research contracts to education and private enterprise in this state.

This entire article is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.