Chapter 519 Oregon Laws 2001

AN ACT

SB 273

Relating to Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. The Legislative Assembly finds that:

(1) A council on knowledge and economic development is necessary to provide for meaningful, ongoing collaboration among Oregon’s public and private institutions of higher education, economic development leadership and the private sector in the promotion of knowledge based economic development in Oregon.

(2) A council would act as an early warning system for emerging policy issues and opportunities in knowledge based economic development for the higher education governing boards, the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission, the Oregon Growth Account Board, the Oregon Resource and Technology Development Account Board, the Legislative Assembly and the Governor.

(3) A council would advise such agencies and bodies on issues, plans and the necessary infrastructure for improvement in the areas of technology development, transfer and commercialization as generated by the collaboration between the public and private sectors.

SECTION 2. (1) The Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development is established.

(2) The council shall consist of the following members:

(a) The Governor shall appoint the following members who shall also be members of the private sector and who shall have experience in a science or technology based industry or experience in private sector venture or angel capital:

(A) One member shall be a member of the State Board of Higher Education;

(B) One member shall be a member of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission;

(C) One member shall be a member of the State Board of Education;

(D) One member shall be a member of a governing board of a private and independent institution of higher education as defined in ORS 352.720;

(E) One member shall be a member of the Oregon Health Sciences University Board of Directors; and

(F) Five members shall have experience in matters related to the duties of the council under section 5 of this 2001 Act.

(b) The State Treasurer.

(c) Two members who are members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(d) Two members who are members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.

(e) The following persons, or their authorized representatives, shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the council:

(A) The Chancellor of the State Board of Higher Education;

(B) The Commissioner for Community College Services;

(C) The president of the State Board of Higher Education;

(D) The presiding officer of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission;

(E) The chairperson of the State Board of Education; and

(F) An executive officer of an association representing private and independent institutions of higher education, as defined in ORS 352.720, who shall be appointed by the Governor.

(3) The Governor shall appoint the chairperson of the council from among the members appointed under subsection (2)(a)(F) of this section.

(4) The term of office of each member is three years, but a member serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Before the expiration of the term of a member, the appointing authority shall appoint a successor whose term begins on July 1 next following. A member is eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause, the appointing authority shall make an appointment to become immediately effective for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(5) A majority of the voting members of the council constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.

(6) The council shall meet at least once every quarter during each fiscal year at a place, day and hour determined by the chairperson. The council shall also meet at other times and places specified by the call of the chairperson or by written request of a majority of the voting members of the council.

(7) The council may establish committees and delegate to such committees such duties as the members consider desirable.

(8) A nonlegislative member of the council is entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in ORS 292.495 (2) and (3). The compensation and expenses of a nonlegislative member of the council who is employed full-time in public service shall be paid by the member’s full-time employer. A legislative member of the council is entitled to payment of compensation and expense reimbursement under ORS 171.072, payable from funds appropriated to the Legislative Assembly.

SECTION 3. Notwithstanding the term of office specified by section 2 of this 2001 Act, of the members first appointed to the Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development by the Governor under section 2 (2)(a) of this 2001 Act:

(1) Three shall serve for terms ending June 30, 2002.

(2) Three shall serve for terms ending June 30, 2003.

(3) Four shall serve for terms ending June 30, 2004.

SECTION 4. (1) The Chancellor of the State Board of Higher Education shall provide executive staff for the Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development.

(2) The State Board of Higher Education, the Economic and Community Development Department and the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development shall provide the council with all other staff and assistance necessary for the council to perform its duties.

(3) The administrative expenses of the council shall be allocated equally among the public entities identified in subsection (2) of this section.

(4) All agencies, departments and officers of this state are directed to assist the council in performance of its functions, and to furnish such information and advice as the members of the council consider necessary to perform the functions of the council.

SECTION 5. (1) The Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development shall advise the Governor, the Legislative Assembly, the State Board of Higher Education, the State Board of Education, the Oregon Economic and Community Development Commission, the Oregon Growth Account Board and the Oregon Resource and Technology Development Board in matters pertaining to knowledge based economic development in Oregon and the collaboration of Oregon’s higher education, business, industry and capital resources to promote the following:

(a) High quality research and development;

(b) Private-public models for sharing profit and intellectual property;

(c) The transfer and commercialization of technology and knowledge from higher education to the private sector;

(d) A technologically skilled workforce; and

(e) Capital resources for investment in and commercialization of technology developed by higher education or other research institutions, including but not limited to national labs and health care related research entities.

(2) Prior to December 31, 2002, the council shall provide a progress report to the Governor and to the appropriate interim legislative committees regarding the status of the council’s mission. The progress report shall also provide recommendations about:

(a) Increasing high quality research and development in this state;

(b) Developing successful models for intellectual property and profit-sharing;

(c) Increasing the transfer and commercialization of technology and knowledge;

(d) Providing sufficient capital for investment in and commercialization of technology developed by higher education institutions or other research institutions, including but not limited to public, private and university foundations;

(e) Promoting the development of a technologically skilled workforce;

(f) Reviewing the performance of existing programs that support technology transfer and commercialization in Oregon, including but not limited to utilization of federal programs and funding;

(g) Reviewing the performance and utilization of philanthropic programs and funding that support technology and commercialization in Oregon, including but not limited to public, private and university foundations; and

(h) Continuing the council past its sunset date.

(3) In addition to the report required by subsection (2) of this section, the council may also provide reports to the Governor and to the Legislative Assembly as the council determines necessary.

(4) All legislation recommended by official action of the council must indicate that it is introduced at the request of the council. Such legislation shall be prepared in time for presession filing pursuant to ORS 171.130.

SECTION 6. In accordance with the applicable provisions of ORS 183.310 to 183.550, the Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development may adopt administrative rules as necessary.

SECTION 7. Sections 1 to 6 of this 2001 Act are repealed on January 2, 2006.

SECTION 8. This 2001 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2001 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor June 22, 2001

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 25, 2001

Effective date June 22, 2001

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