EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
*hb0855*
HOUSE BILL 855
P1, F2, C8 5lr2790
By: Delegate Hill
Introduced and read first time: January 30, 2025
Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
A BILL ENTITLED
AN ACT concerning 1
Workgroup on Establishing a Science and Technology Best Practices and 2
Innovation Network – Alterations 3
FOR the purpose of altering the membership of the Workgroup on Establishing a Science 4
and Technology Best Practices and Innovation Network; extending the Workgroup; 5
and generally relating to the Workgroup on Establishing a Science and Technology 6
Best Practices and Innovation Network. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 8
Chapter 448 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2024 9
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 10
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 11
Chapter 448 of the Acts of 2024 12
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 13
That: 14
(a) There is a Workgroup on Establishing a Science and Technology Best 15
Practices and Innovation Network. 16
(b) The Workgroup consists of the following members: 17
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 18
the Senate; 19
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 20
House; 21
2 HOUSE BILL 855
(3) the Executive Director of the Maryland Technology Development 1
Corporation, or the Executive Director’s designee; 2
(4) one representative of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 3
designated by the President of the University; 4
(5) [five] TWO representatives appointed by the Governor who: 5
(i) have expertise or experience in fostering community–based 6
applications and using science or technology in teaching, mentoring, or hobbying; and 7
(ii) reflect the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and geographic 8
diversity of the State; 9
(6) [five] TWO representatives of institutions of higher education in the 10
State with expertise in current science or technology research, industry, or innovation, 11
appointed by the Governor, including at least one representative each from: 12
(i) a historically Black college or university; 13
(ii) an independent institution of higher education; and 14
(iii) a community college; 15
(7) [two representatives] ONE REPRESENTATIVE from the private sector 16
with expertise in current developments in science or technology research, industry, or 17
innovation; and 18
(8) [two representatives] ONE REPRESENTATIVE from the nonprofit 19
sector with expertise in or history of recognized advocacy on behalf of ethical and human 20
practices and protections in science and technology research, industry, or innovation. 21
(c) The Workgroup shall elect a chair from among its members. 22
(d) The University of Maryland, Baltimore County shall provide staff for the 23
Workgroup. 24
(e) A member of the Workgroup: 25
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 26
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 27
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 28
(f) The Workgroup shall: 29
HOUSE BILL 855 3
(1) identify and analyze options for establishing and maintaining an open 1
access science, technology, and innovation network or hub of citizen scientists and experts 2
in science, technology, and industry to: 3
(i) facilitate noninstitutional voluntary collaboration; 4
(ii) facilitate the open exchange of ideas and nonproprietary 5
state–of–the–art and evidence–based data and information; and 6
(iii) promote solution development and decision making based on 7
sound science, innovation, and best practices; 8
(2) identify and evaluate methods for: 9
(i) establishing a digital or virtual referral network of experts in 10
science, technology, and industry, including expansion of existing entities and networks; 11
(ii) registering expert participants; and 12
(iii) making network expertise available to the public; and 13
(3) make recommendations regarding the establishment of a science and 14
technology best practices and innovation network. 15
(g) On or before December 1, [2024] 2026, the Workgroup shall report its findings 16
and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 17
Government Article, the General Assembly. 18
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 19
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of [1 year] 3 YEARS and 1 month and, at the 20
end of June 30, [2025] 2027, this Act, with no further action required by the General 21
Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 22
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 23
1, 2025. 24