California Assembly Bill ACR153 Latest Draft

 BILL NUMBER: ACR 153AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY JUNE 23, 2016 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Burke MARCH 9, 2016 Relative to the California Council on Science and Technology. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST ACR 153, as amended, Burke. California Council on Science and Technology. This measure would request the California Council on Science and Technology to establish an executive fellowship program to embed scientists within California's leading clean technologies.   place an emphasis on selecting fellows who are reflective of the state's diversity, specifically regarding race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.  Fiscal committee: no.  WHEREAS, California's output of goods and services ranks it as the eighth greatest economic power in the world; and   WHEREAS, California's preeminence in science and technology was the basis for the development of the aerospace, microelectronics, and other advanced technologies in this state; and   WHEREAS, California state policies to adopt clean technology and reduce greenhouse gas emissions were the basis for the development of wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, energy storage, and other clean technologies in this state; and   WHEREAS, California owes its preeminence to its excellent educational system, including the University of California and California State University systems, its superb independent universities and colleges, and its extensive community college system, which provides highly trained manpower for California's clean technology industries; and   WHEREAS, Such research provides education and training to California's students and an opportunity for faculty to break new ground solving energy and climate change problems; and   WHEREAS, The University of California, together with others in the state's academic community, maintains preeminent faculties of capable and world-renowned scientists, engineers, and technological experts; and   WHEREAS, California is fortunate to have a group of major research universities, the University of California, the University of Southern California, the California Institute of Technology, and Stanford University, each acknowledged to be world-class institutions; and  WHEREAS, In 1988, through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 162, the Legislature requested the President of the University of California, in collaboration with the presidents of other California-based universities, to establish the California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) to ensure the state's competitiveness in science and technology; and WHEREAS, The CCST was directed to bring together experts from academia, industry, and other research institutions in California to provide impartial analyses on  science   scientific  and technological issues affecting the State of California; and  WHEREAS, These scientists and engineers have responded to requests for analyses on significant and challenging science and technology related issues in California, ranging from education to climate change and exploring California's energy future; now, therefore, be it   WHEREAS, The CCST recognized that scientific and technological issues facing California rapidly grew in complexity and required legislators to make decisions without having prior background in science, engineering, or technology; and   WHEREAS, In 2009, the CCST formed the California Science and Technology Policy Fellowships to place professional scientists and engineers in the California State Legislature for one-year appointments. These professional development opportunities enable fellows to develop solutions to complex scientific and technical issues; and   WHEREAS, After seven years in existence, there are 69 CCST Science and Technology Fellows and alumni. All of the fellows hold Ph.D.s. They have impacted more than 700 bills. Forty percent of the fellows stay in the California State Legislature or state agencies after their fellowships end; and   WHEREAS, California is undergoing a demographic shift that makes it one of the most diverse states, evident in the fact that 75 percent of K-12 pupils are of color; and   WHEREAS, It is imperative that the legislative process be informed by scientists who are reflective of the state's diversity in order to foster inclusion and input necessary to address issues that adversely impact growing communities of color, such as climate change and achieving equity within California's energy sector; now, therefore, be it  Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature  requests, within one year of the effective date of this resolution,   requests  the California Council on Science and Technology to  establish an executive fellowship program to embed scientists from diverse backgrounds directly within California's leading clean technology industries;   place an emphasis on selecting fellows who are reflective of the state's   diversity, specifically regarding race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status;  and be it further Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Governor, the President of the University of California, and the Regents of the University of California.