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SENATE FLOOR VERSION
February 27, 2024
SENATE BILL NO. 1550 By: Green of the Senate
and
Moore of the House
An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Section 3230.1 , which relates to creation of
the Oklahoma Experimental Prog ram to Stimulate
Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Advisory Committee;
changing name of Committee; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 3230.2, which relates to membership of the
Committee; adding member to Committee; amending 70
O.S. 2021, Section 3230.3 , which relates to duties
and responsibilities of the Committee; modifying and
adding duties and responsibilities; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Section 3230.4 , which relates to the
Committee’s submission of an annual report; allowing
report to be submitted on a date determined by
certain chair; updating statutory language; providing
an effective date; and declaring an emergency .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3230.1, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3230.1. A. There is hereby created the Oklahoma
Experimental Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research
(EPSCoR) Advisory Committee to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education. The Committee shall be adviso ry in nature and shall
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provide recommendations on EPSCoR programs to the State Regents,
which is the funding agency for the state share of matching
requirements for EPSCoR initiatives.
B. The purpose of the Committee shall be, through a partnership
of higher education institu tions, independent research entities,
industry, and state government, to enhance scientific and
engineering research and development con ducted at universities
higher education institutions in the this state and thereby to
enhance the success of Oklahoma researchers in federal award
competitions.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3230.2, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3230.2. A. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
Education shall appoint me mbers to the Oklahoma EPSCoR Advisory
Committee that may include:
1. Representatives of the state ’s universities and colleges
higher education institutions ;
2. Representatives of private research entities located in
Oklahoma;
3. Representatives of priva te business;
4. Residents of Oklahoma this state whose contribution will
enhance the goals of the Comm ittee; and
5. A representative of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement
of Science and Technol ogy; and
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6. A representative from the pre-kindergarten through twelfth
grade education system.
B. The membership of the Committee shall also include:
1. One member of the Governor ’s staff to be appointed by the
Governor;
2. One member of the State Senate to be appointed by the
President Pro Tempore of the S enate; and
3. One member of the House of Representatives to be appointed
by the Speaker of the House o f Representatives.
C. The State Regents shall ensure that the membership of the
Committee complies with requirements and guidelines of the
appropriate federal agencies.
D. Members of the Committee shall not receive compensation for
serving on the Committee , but may receive trav el reimbursement as
follows:
1. Legislative members of the Committee may be reimbursed for
their necessary travel expenses incur red in the performance of their
duties in accordance with Section 456 of Title 74 of the Oklahoma
Statutes from the legislative body in which they serve;
2. State agency employees who are members of the Committee
shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties by their respective agencies in accordance with the
State Travel Reimbursement Act; a nd
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3. All other Committee mem bers may be reimbursed for travel
expenses incurred in the performance of their duties by the Oklahoma
State Regents for Higher Education in accordance with the State
Travel Reimbursement Act.
SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3230.3, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3230.3. A. The Oklahoma EPSCoR Advisory Com mittee
shall recommend to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
EPSCoR research projects requiring state matching funds and other
research and systemic initiatives as requested by the State Regents.
B. The Committee shall have the duty and respo nsibility of to:
1. Promoting Promote cooperative research efforts among public
and private universities higher education institutions in Oklahoma
this state;
2. Promoting private sector involvement in university research
and encouraging technology trans fer;
3. Promoting human resource development in science and
engineering within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education;
4. Selecting Select specific research projects for submission
in response to solicitations by EPSCoR Programs administered by
federal agencies, which include but are not limited to the National
Science Foundation, the Department of Defe nse, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Department of En ergy, the Department of
Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Adm inistration, the
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United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Institutes
of Health, (NIH), including the NIH IDeA Program for which a limited
number of projects may be submitted by the State of Oklahoma this
state;
5. Appointing
3. Appoint the Oklahoma State EPSCoR Director; and
4. Aid in the assessment of the total EPSCoR-related
jurisdictional research ecosystem present in this state;
5. As needed, provide assistance or guidance in other
activities that may relat e to EPSCoR work in this state;
6. Collaborate with relevant entities to provide input into the
development of a science and technology plan for this state; and
Undertaking
7. Undertake other efforts as appropriate.
SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3230.4 , is
amended to read as follows:
Section 3230.4. The Oklahoma EPSCoR Advisory Committee shall
submit by July 1, 2001, and each July 1 thereafter, an annual report
of its activities for the preceding year to the Oklahoma State
Regents for Higher Education by July 1, each year, or by another
date as determined b y the chair of the Committ ee.
SECTION 5. This act shall become effective July 1, 2024.
SECTION 6. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
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declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effe ct and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION
February 27, 2024 - DO PASS