EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDE D TO EXISTING LAW .
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*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
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: March 1, 2025
CHAPTER ______
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
2 HOUSE BILL 855
(1) one member of the Senate of Maryland, appointed by the President of 1
the Senate; 2
(2) one member of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the 3
House; 4
(3) the Executive Director of the Maryland Technology Development 5
Corporation, or the Executive Director’s designee; 6
(4) one representative of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 7
designated by the President of the University; 8
(5) [five] TWO representatives appointed by the Governor who: 9
(i) have expertise or experience in fostering community–based 10
applications and using science or technology in teaching, mentoring, or hobbying; and 11
(ii) reflect the racial, ethnic, religious, gender, and geographic 12
diversity of the State; 13
(6) [five] TWO representatives of institutions of higher education in the 14
State with expertise in current science or technology research, industry, or innovation, 15
appointed by the Governor, including at least one representative each from: 16
(i) a historically Black college or university; 17
(ii) an independent institution of higher education; and 18
(iii) a community college; 19
(7) [two representatives] ONE REPRESENTATIVE from the private sector 20
with expertise in current developments in science or technology research, industry, or 21
innovation; and 22
(8) [two representatives] ONE REPRESENTATIVE from the nonprofit 23
sector with expertise in or history of recognized advocacy on behalf of ethical and human 24
practices and protections in science and technology research, industry, or innovation. 25
(c) The Workgroup shall elect a chair from among its members. 26
(d) The University of Maryland, Baltimore County shall provide staff for the 27
Workgroup. 28
(e) A member of the Workgroup: 29
(1) may not receive compensation as a member of the Workgroup; but 30
HOUSE BILL 855 3
(2) is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State 1
Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget. 2
(f) The Workgroup shall: 3
(1) identify and analyze options for establishing and maintaining an open 4
access science, technology, and innovation network or hub of citizen scientists and experts 5
in science, technology, and industry to: 6
(i) facilitate noninstitutional voluntary collaboration; 7
(ii) facilitate the open exchange of ideas and nonproprietary 8
state–of–the–art and evidence–based data and information; and 9
(iii) promote solution development and decision making based on 10
sound science, innovation, and best practices; 11
(2) identify and evaluate methods for: 12
(i) establishing a digital or virtual referral network of experts in 13
science, technology, and industry, including expansion of existing entities and networks; 14
(ii) registering expert participants; and 15
(iii) making network expertise available to the public; and 16
(3) make recommendations regarding the establishment of a science and 17
technology best practices and innovation network. 18
(g) On or before December 1, [2024] 2026, the Workgroup shall report its findings 19
and recommendations to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State 20
Government Article, the General Assembly. 21
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 22
1, 2024. It shall remain effective for a period of [1 year] 3 YEARS and 1 month and, at the 23
end of June 30, [2025] 2027, this Act, with no further action required by the General 24
Assembly, shall be abrogated and of no further force and effect. 25
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect June 26
1, 2025. 27