WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 448
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Chapter 448
(House Bill 999)
AN ACT concerning
Workgroup on Establishing a Science and Technology Best Practices and
Innovation Network
FOR the purpose of establishing the Workgroup on Establishing a Science and Technology
Best Practices and Innovation Network; and generally relating to the Workgroup on
Establishing a Science and Technology Best Practices and Innovation Network.
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That:
(a) There is a Workgroup on Establishing a Science and Technology Best
Practices and Innovation Network.
(b) The Workgroup consists of the following members:
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of
the Senate;
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the
House;
(3) the Secretary of the Environment, or the Secretary’s designee;
(4) the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee;
(5) the Secretary of Higher Education, or the Secretary’s designee;
(6) the Secretary of Energy, or the Secretary’s designee;
(7) the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee;
(8) the Secretary of Agriculture, or the Secretary’s designee;
(9) the Executive Director of the Maryland Health Care Commission, or the
Executive Director’s designee;
(10) (3) the Executive Director of the Maryland Technology Development
Corporation, or the Executive Director’s designee;
(4) one representative of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County,
designated by the President of the University; Ch. 448 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(5) five representatives appointed by the Governor who:
(i) have expertise or experience in fostering community–based
applications and using science or technology in teaching, mentoring, or hobbying; and
(ii) reflect the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and geographic
diversity of the State;
(11) (6) five representatives of institutions of higher education in the
State with expertise in current science or technology research, industry, or innovation,
appointed by the Governor, including at least one representative each from:
(i) a historically Black college or university;
(ii) an independent institution of higher education; and
(iii) a community college;
(12) (7) three two representatives from the private sector with expertise
in current developments in science or technology research, industry, or innovation; and
(13) (8) three two representatives from the nonprofit sector with
expertise in or history of recognized advocacy on behalf of ethical and human practices and
protections in science and technology research, industry, or innovation.
(c) The Workgroup shall elect a chair from among its members.
(d) The University of Maryland, Baltimore County shall provide staff for the
Workgroup.
(e) A member of the Workgroup:
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.
(f) The Workgroup shall:
(1) identify and analyze options for establishing and maintaining a an open
access science, technology, and innovation network of or hub of citizen scientists and
experts in science, technology, and industry to:
(i) facilitate noninstitutional voluntary collaboration;
WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 448
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(ii) facilitate the open exchange of ideas and nonproprietary
state–of–the–art and evidence–based data and information; and
(iii) inform State policy and practices; and
(iv) (iii) promote solution development and decision making based
on sound science, innovation, and best practices;
(2) identify and evaluate methods for:
(i) establishing a digital or virtual referral network of experts in
science, technology, and industry, including expansion of existing entities and networks;
(ii) registering expert participants; and
(iii) making network expertise available to the public; and
(3) examine the costs of developing and maintaining a network of experts
in science, technology, and industry; and
(4) (3) make recommendations regarding the establishment of a science and
technology best practices and innovation network.
(g) On or before December 1, 2024, the Workgroup shall report its findings and
recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2 –1257 of the State
Government Article, the General Assembly.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of 1 year and 1 month and, at the end of June
30, 2025, this Act, with no further action required by the General Assembly, shall be
abrogated and of no further force and effect.
Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.