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ENGROSSED 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 Program 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 advisory in nature and shall
provide recommendations on EPSCoR programs to the State Regents,
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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 institutions, inde pendent research entities,
industry, and state government, to enhance scientific and
engineering research and development conducted at universities
higher education institutions in the this state and thereby to
enhance the success of Oklahoma researchers i n 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 members to the Oklahoma EPSCoR Adv isory
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 private business;
4. Residents of Oklahoma this state whose contribution will
enhance the goals of the Committee ; and
5. A representative of the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement
of Science and Technology ; 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 Senate; and
3. One member of the House of Representatives to be appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Rep resentatives.
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 travel reimbursement as
follows:
1. Legislative members of the Committee may be reimbursed for
their necessary travel expenses incurred 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; and
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3. All other Committee members 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 Committee
shall recommend to the Ok lahoma 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 responsibility 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 transfer;
3. Promoting human resourc e 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 bu t are not limited to the National
Science Foundation, the Department of Defe nse, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Department of
Commerce, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the
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United States Department of A griculture, 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 ecos ystem present in this state;
5. As needed, provide assistance or guidance in other
activities that may relate 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 anot her
date as determined by the chair of the Committee .
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 emerg ency is hereby
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declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effe ct and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
Passed the Senate the 4th day of March, 2024.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representa tives the ____ day of __________,
2024.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives