Senate Bill No. 562–Committee on Government Affairs

 

(On Behalf of Department of Administration—Budget Division)

 

March 26, 2001

____________

 

Referred to Committee on Government Affairs

 

SUMMARY—Transfers office of science, engineering and technology within University and Community College System of Nevada to office of governor. (BDR 18‑1446)

 

FISCAL NOTE:    Effect on Local Government: No.

                                 Effect on the State: No.

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

AN ACT relating to the office of the governor; transferring the office of science, engineering and technology within the University and Community College System of Nevada to the office of the governor; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1. Chapter 223 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2  the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 5, inclusive, of this act.

1-3    Sec. 2.  1.  There is hereby established within the office of the

1-4  governor, an office of science, engineering and technology.

1-5    2.  The governor shall appoint the director of the office of science,

1-6  engineering and technology. In making the appointment, the governor

1-7  shall:

1-8    (a) Give consideration to any recommendations submitted by the

1-9  chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada;

1-10    (b) Take reasonable actions to recruit from throughout the United

1-11  States candidates who are qualified, including, without limitation,

1-12  advertising the position in appropriate technical journals and

1-13  publications; and

1-14    (c) Assemble a panel of persons with appropriate experience in

1-15  science, engineering and technology to make recommendations of

1-16  qualified candidates for the position. The panel must include members of

1-17  the Nevada Technology Council and the commission on economic

1-18  development.

1-19    3.  The director serves at the pleasure of the governor.

2-1    4.  The director must have:

2-2    (a) A graduate degree in an appropriate field of science or

2-3  engineering;

2-4    (b) Experience administering major scientific and engineering

2-5  programs; and

2-6    (c) Demonstrated experience in the development of plans and policies

2-7  for state governments and the Federal Government.

2-8    5.  If a vacancy occurs during the term of office of the director, the

2-9  governor shall appoint a person to serve the remainder of the unexpired

2-10  term in the manner provided in subsection 2.

2-11    6.  The director shall devote his entire time and attention to the

2-12  business of his office and shall not engage in any other gainful

2-13  employment or occupation, except for consulting and academic pursuits

2-14  that the governor determines:

2-15    (a) Do not conflict with the duties of the director; and

2-16    (b) May further the interests of this state.

2-17    Sec. 3.  The director of the office of science, engineering and

2-18  technology:

2-19    1.  Shall serve as the state science, engineering and technology

2-20  adviser to the governor, legislature, various agencies of this state, and

2-21  businesses and industries located in this state.

2-22    2.  May serve as a member of the Nevada Technology Council.

2-23    3.  Shall work in coordination with the commission on economic

2-24  development to establish criteria and specific goals for economic

2-25  development and diversification in this state in the areas of science,

2-26  engineering and technology.

2-27    4.  Shall identify and recommend policies:

2-28    (a) To ensure that projects and resources located in this state which

2-29  relate to science, engineering and technology are managed and

2-30  coordinated to provide the greatest benefit to residents of this state.

2-31    (b) Related to alternative uses of the Nevada Test Site that most

2-32  effectively utilize the technology which is available at the site.

2-33    (c) To establish programs that develop and enhance the scientific and

2-34  mathematical skills of pupils in this state.

2-35    (d) To coordinate the activities of the various agencies of this state to

2-36  bring advanced technological programs that are federally funded or

2-37  operated into this state.

2-38    (e) To provide technical assistance to the commission on economic

2-39  development and local authorities to bring advanced technology into this

2-40  state.

2-41    (f) To provide advice and assistance to businesses and industries that

2-42  are located in this state.

2-43    5.  Shall not overlap or duplicate any work performed by the state

2-44  climatologist, state engineer, state health officer or the executive director

2-45  of the agency for nuclear projects.

2-46    Sec. 4. The director of the office of science, engineering and

2-47  technology shall:

2-48    1.  Report periodically to the chairman and executive director of the

2-49  commission on economic development concerning the administration of

3-1  the policies and programs of the office of science, engineering and

3-2  technology.

3-3    2.  Submit a report to the director of the legislative counsel bureau on

3-4  or before March 1 of each odd-numbered year for transmittal to the

3-5  legislature. The report must include information that concerns the

3-6  policies, programs, operations and functions of the office of science,

3-7  engineering and technology and any recommendations of the office of

3-8  science, engineering and technology for proposed legislation.

3-9    Sec. 5.  1.  The director of the office of science, engineering and

3-10  technology may:

3-11    (a) Accept any gift, donation, bequest or devise; and

3-12    (b) Apply for and accept any grant, loan or other source of money,

3-13  to assist him in carrying out his duties.

3-14    2.  The account for the office of science, engineering and technology

3-15  is hereby created in the state general fund. Money accepted pursuant to

3-16  subsection 1 must be deposited in the account for the office of science,

3-17  engineering and technology. Money in the account must only be used to

3-18  carry out the duties of the director.

3-19    Sec. 6.  NRS 396.798, 396.7982, 396.7984 and 396.7988 are hereby

3-20  repealed.

3-21    Sec. 7.  This act becomes effective on July 1, 2001.

 

3-22  LEADLINES OF REPEALED SECTIONS

 

3-23    396.798  Office of Science, Engineering and Technology.

3-24    396.7982  Director: Duties; powers; prohibited acts.

3-25    396.7984  Periodic and biennial reports required of director.

3-26    396.7988  Acceptance of gifts and money by director; creation of

3-27   account; deposit of money.

 

3-28  H