Maryland 2024 Regular Session

Maryland House Bill HB999 Latest Draft

Bill / Chaptered Version Filed 05/15/2024

                             	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.