LRB-4430/1
MDK:wlj
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
January 22, 2016 - Introduced by Senators Vinehout, Lassa, Ringhand, Risser,
Miller, Wirch and Carpenter, cosponsored by Representatives Barca,
Berceau, Pope, Milroy, Hebl, Hintz, Zamarripa, Hesselbein, Spreitzer,
Wachs, Danou, Ohnstad, Considine, Subeck, Bowen, Sargent, Goyke,
Mason, Kolste, Kahl, Barnes, Meyers and Young. Referred to Committee on
Universities and Technical Colleges.
SB634,1,2 1An Act to create 15.917 (2) and 36.25 (55) of the statutes; relating to:
2establishing a nanotechnology information hub and a nanotechnology council.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill requires the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board of Regents
to maintain a nanotechnology information hub (hub) in the UW-Extension, for at
least five years, to promote the development of nanotechnology businesses in this
state, and gather and disseminate information about environmental health and
workplace safety related to nanotechnology. The bill sets forth specific duties for the
hub, including requiring the hub to report to the legislature on emerging
nanotechnology health and safety information. The bill also requires the hub, at the
direction of the nanotechnology council described below, to identify needed
legislation relating to nanotechnology safety and development.
The bill creates a nanotechnology council to set policies and priorities for the
hub and to make grants for research and development related to nanotechnology,
subject to the availability of funding. The bill does not appropriate any funds for
grants but rather directs the hub to seek and compete for federal, state, or other
funding to support its activities and to be used by the nanotechnology council to make
grants. The nanotechnology council consists of the following members (or their
designees): the director of the state laboratory of hygiene; the secretary of natural
resources; the secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection; the secretary
of health services; the secretary of workforce development; the chief executive officer
of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; the administrator of the
Division of Emergency Management in the Department of Military Affairs; the

president of the UW System; the president of the technical college system board; and
the president of the board of the Wisconsin Technology Council. The council also has
five members each of whom represents one of the following interests: environmental
interests; consumer protection; public health; economic development; and
technology transfer. These five members are nominated by the governor, selected
from a list of names submitted by organizations representing the relevant interest.
These members are confirmed by the senate and serve staggered three-year terms.
The bill requires the nanotechnology council to meet at least twice each year
and must develop and implement plans for the nanotechnology information hub to
sustain its own funding.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB634,1 1Section 1. 15.917 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
SB634,2,32 15.917 (2) Nanotechnology council. There is created in the University of
3Wisconsin System a nanotechnology council consisting of the following members:
SB634,2,44 (a) The director of the state laboratory of hygiene or his or her designee.
SB634,2,55 (b) The secretary of natural resources or his or her designee.
SB634,2,76 (c) The secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or his or her
7designee.
SB634,2,88 (d) The secretary of health services or his or her designee.
SB634,2,99 (e) The secretary of workforce development or his or her designee.
SB634,2,1110 (f) The chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development
11Corporation or his or her designee.
SB634,2,1312 (g) The administrator of the division of emergency management in the
13department of military affairs or his or her designee.
SB634,2,1414 (h) The president of the University of Wisconsin System or his or her designee.
SB634,2,1515 (i) The president of the technical college system board or his or her designee.
SB634,3,2
1(j) The president of the board of the Wisconsin Technology Council or his or her
2designee.
SB634,3,43 (k) Five members nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent
4of the senate appointed to serve 3-year terms, as follows:
SB634,3,65 1. A member representing environmental interests, selected from a list of
6names submitted by environmental organizations.
SB634,3,87 2. A member representing consumer interests, selected from a list of names
8submitted by consumer protection organizations.
SB634,3,109 3. A member representing the interests of public health, selected from a list of
10names submitted by public health organizations.
SB634,3,1211 4. A member with knowledge and expertise in economic development, selected
12from a list of names submitted by economic development organizations.
SB634,3,1513 5. A member representing an organization that specializes in technology
14transfer, selected from a list of names submitted by organizations that specialize in
15technology transfer.
SB634,2 16Section 2. 36.25 (55) of the statutes is created to read:
SB634,3,2217 36.25 (55) Nanotechnology information hub and nanotechnology council.
18(a) The board shall maintain in the extension a nanotechnology information hub to
19promote the development of nanotechnology businesses and gather and disseminate
20information about environmental health and workplace safety related to
21nanotechnology. The board shall maintain the nanotechnology information hub for
22at least 5 years.
SB634,3,2523 (b) The nanotechnology information hub shall do all of the following to foster
24communication and cooperation between the public and private sectors on matters
25related to nanotechnology:
SB634,4,2
11. Facilitate the sharing of specialized equipment and skills related to
2nanotechnology.
SB634,4,43 2. Arrange for periodic events to bring together people interested in
4nanotechnology.
SB634,4,65 3. Establish an interactive Internet platform for receiving and disseminating
6information on nanotechnology.
SB634,4,87 4. Monitor, compile, and disseminate emerging scientific research on nanoscale
8material uses, benefits, and risks.
SB634,4,109 (c) The nanotechnology information hub shall do all of the following to assist
10in the development of the nanotechnology industry in this state:
SB634,4,1411 1. Help businesses to identify and access resources to help them to comply with
12rules and regulations related to nanotechnology, implement best practices for
13handling nanoscale materials to protect worker safety, and otherwise minimize the
14risks associated with the use of nanoscale materials in products.
SB634,4,1615 2. Inform businesses that are involved in nanotechnology or that use nanoscale
16materials in products about business development assistance programs.
SB634,4,1917 3. Inform the public and businesses that are involved in nanotechnology about
18postsecondary education programs that prepare workers for careers related to
19nanotechnology.
SB634,4,2120 4. Monitor and provide information on new and proposed state rules and
21federal regulations related to nanotechnology.
SB634,4,2322 (d) The nanotechnology information hub shall do all of the following to promote
23environmental health, research, and workplace safety related to nanotechnology:
SB634,4,2524 1. Inform interested parties about opportunities for federal, state, or other
25funding for nanotechnology research or other programs related to nanotechnology.
SB634,5,2
12. Inform the public about the benefits and risks of specific types of nanoscale
2materials and products containing nanoscale materials.
SB634,5,43 3. Inform emergency response personnel about the safe handling of nanoscale
4materials in emergency situations.
SB634,5,75 4. Collect information voluntarily provided by public and private sector entities
6in this state about the types and amounts of nanoscale materials being handled or
7manufactured and the locations of those activities.
SB634,5,98 5. Undertake other educational, public outreach, and grant activities related
9to nanotechnology.
SB634,5,1310 6. Report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s.
1113.172 (3) on emerging nanotechnology health and safety information and, at the
12direction of the nanotechnology council, identify needed legislation relating to
13nanotechnology safety and development.
SB634,5,1714 (e) The nanotechnology information hub shall seek and compete for federal,
15state, or other funding to support its activities and to be used by the nanotechnology
16council under par. (g) to make grants through the extension for research and
17development related to nanotechnology.
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