Senate Bill No. 401–Senators Rawson,
Neal and O’Donnell

 

CHAPTER..........

 

AN ACT relating to the office of science, engineering and technology; transferring the office from the University and Community College System of Nevada to the Office of the Governor; revising the duties of the director of the office; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

   Section 1. NRS 223.085 is hereby amended to read as follows:

   223.085  1.  The governor may, within the limits of available money,

 employ such persons as he deems necessary to provide an appropriate staff

 for the office of the governor, including, without limitation, the agency for

 nuclear projects , the office of science, innovation and technology and the

 governor’s mansion. Any such employees are not in the classified or

 unclassified service of the state and serve at the pleasure of the governor.

   2.  The governor shall:

   (a) Determine the salaries and benefits of the persons employed

 pursuant to subsection 1, within limits of money available for that

 purpose; and

   (b) Adopt such rules and policies as he deems appropriate to establish

 the duties and employment rights of the persons employed pursuant to

 subsection 1.

   Sec. 2.  Chapter 231 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto the

 provisions set forth as sections 3 to 6, inclusive, of this act.

   Sec. 3.  1.  The office of science, innovation and technology is

 hereby established in the office of the governor.

   2.  The governor shall appoint the director of the office of science,

 innovation and technology. In making the appointment, the governor:

   (a) Shall give consideration to any recommendation which is

 submitted by the chancellor of the University and Community College

 System of Nevada.

   (b) May assemble a panel of persons with appropriate experience in

 science and technology to make recommendations of qualified

 candidates for the position of director.

   3.  The director shall devote his entire time and attention to the

 business of his office and shall not engage in any other gainful

 employment or occupation.

   4.  The director is not in the classified or unclassified service of the

 state and serves at the pleasure of the governor.

   Sec. 4.  The director of the office of science, innovation and

 technology shall:

   1.  Advise the governor on matters relating to science, innovation and

 technology.

   2.  Work in coordination with the commission on economic

 development to establish criteria and goals for economic development

 and diversification in this state in the areas of science, innovation and

 technology.

   3.  As directed by the governor, identify, recommend and carry out

policies related to science, innovation and technology.

   4.  Report periodically to the chairman and executive director of the

 commission on economic development concerning the administration of

 the policies and programs of the office of science, innovation and

 technology.

   5.  Develop and coordinate efforts to attract biotechnological

 companies to this state.

   6.  Establish and maintain a clearinghouse of information regarding

 biotechnological business in this state.

   Sec. 5.  1.  The director of the office of science, innovation and

 technology may:

   (a) Accept any gift, donation, bequest or devise; and

   (b) Apply for and accept any grant, loan or other source of

money,

to assist him in carrying out his duties.

   2.  The director may serve as a member of the Nevada Technology

 Council.

   Sec. 6.  1.  The account for the office of science, innovation and

 technology is hereby created in the state general fund. The account must

 be administered by the director of the office of science, innovation and

 technology.

   2.  Any money accepted pursuant to section 5 of this act must be

 deposited in the account.

   3.  The interest and income earned on the money in the account, after

 deducting any applicable charges, must be credited to the account.

   4.  The money in the account must only be used to carry out the

 duties of the director.

   5.  Claims against the account must be paid as other claims against

 the state are paid.

   Sec. 7.  NRS 284.140 is hereby amended to read as follows:

   284.140  The unclassified service of the state consists of positions held

 by state officers or employees in the executive department of the state

 government as follows:

   1.  Persons chosen by election or appointment to fill an elective office.

   2.  Members of boards and commissions, and heads of departments,

 agencies and institutions required by law to be appointed.

   3.  At the discretion of the elective officer or head of each department,

 agency or institution, one deputy and one chief assistant in each

 department, agency or institution.

   4.  Except as otherwise provided in section 3 of this act and NRS

 223.085 and 223.570, all persons required by law to be appointed by the

 governor or heads of departments or agencies appointed by the governor

 or by boards.

   5.  All employees other than clerical in the office of the attorney

 general and the state public defender required by law to be appointed by

 the attorney general or the state public defender.

   6.  Except as otherwise provided by the board of regents of the

 University of Nevada pursuant to NRS 396.251, officers and members of

 the teaching staff and the staffs of the agricultural extension department

and experiment station of the University and Community College System

of Nevada, or any other state institution of learning, and student employees

 of these institutions. Custodial, clerical or maintenance employees of these

 institutions are in the classified service. The board of regents of the

 University of Nevada shall assist the director in carrying out the provisions

 of this chapter applicable to the University and Community College

 System of Nevada.

   7.  Officers and members of the Nevada National Guard.

   8.  Persons engaged in public work for the state but employed by

 contractors when the performance of the contract is authorized by the

 legislature or another competent authority.

   9.  Patient and inmate help in state charitable, penal, mental and

 correctional institutions.

   10.  Part-time professional personnel who are paid for any form of

 medical, nursing or other professional service and who are not engaged in

 the performance of administrative or substantially recurring duties.

   11.  All other officers and employees authorized by law to be employed

 in the unclassified service.

   Sec. 8.  NRS 396.798, 396.7982, 396.7984 and 396.7988 are hereby

 repealed.

   Sec. 9.  The state treasurer shall transfer any balance remaining

 unexpended on June 30, 2001, in the account for the office of science,

 engineering and technology to the account for the office of science,

 innovation and technology which is created by section 6 of this act.

   Sec. 10.  This act becomes effective on July 1, 2001.

 

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