SB533: Bill Text

LRB-3881/1

MDK:med:jm

2011 - 2012 LEGISLATURE

2011 Senate BILL 533

February 29, 2012 - Introduced by Joint Legislative Council. Referred to Joint Committee on Information Policy and Technology.

SB533,1,2 An Act to create 15.917 (2) and 36.25 (55) of the statutes; relating to: establishing a nanotechnology information hub and a nanotechnology council.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill is explained in the Notes provided by the Joint Legislative Council in the bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

Joint Legislative Council prefatory note: This bill was prepared for the Joint Legislative Council's Special Committee on Nanotechnology. It responds to the committee's instruction to create an entity to promote the development of nanotechnology in this state by serving as a central information source on the benefits, risks, and regulations related to nanotechnology, promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors, providing technical assistance to businesses and researchers, establishing a state educational program, and otherwise promoting the safe development of nanotechnology.

This bill directs the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board of Regents to maintain a nanotechnology information hub in the UW-Extension ("the extension"), for at least 5 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 nanotechnology information hub. The hub is directed to report to the legislature on emerging nanotechnology health and safety information, and at the direction of the nanotechnology council described below, identify needed legislation relating to nanotechnology safety and development.

The bill creates a nanotechnology council to set policies and priorities for the nanotechnology information 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 nanotechnology 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.

•The president of the board of the Wisconsin Technology Council.

The council also has 5 members each of whom represents one of the following specific interests relevant to nanotechnology. These 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 3-year terms:

•Environmental interests.

•Consumer protection.

•Public health.

•Economic development.

•Technology transfer.

The nanotechnology council must meet at least twice each year and must develop and implement plans for the nanotechnology information hub to sustain its own funding.

SB533, s. 1 Section 1. 15.917 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

SB533,2,3 15.917 (2) Nanotechnology council. There is created in the University of Wisconsin System a nanotechnology council consisting of the following members:

SB533,2,4 (a) The director of the state laboratory of hygiene or his or her designee.

SB533,2,5 (b) The secretary of natural resources or his or her designee.

SB533,3,2 (c) The secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection or his or her designee.

SB533,3,3 (d) The secretary of health services or his or her designee.

SB533,3,4 (e) The secretary of workforce development or his or her designee.

SB533,3,6 (f) The chief executive officer of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation or his or her designee.

SB533,3,8 (g) The administrator of the division of emergency management in the department of military affairs or his or her designee.

SB533,3,9 (h) The president of the University of Wisconsin System or his or her designee.

SB533,3,10 (i) The president of the technical college system board or his or her designee.

SB533,3,12 (j) The president of the board of the Wisconsin Technology Council or his or her designee.

SB533,3,14 (k) Five members nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed to serve 3-year terms, as follows:

SB533,3,16 1. A member representing environmental interests, selected from a list of names submitted by environmental organizations.

SB533,3,18 2. A member representing consumer interests, selected from a list of names submitted by consumer protection organizations.

SB533,3,20 3. A member representing the interests of public health, selected from a list of names submitted by public health organizations.

SB533,3,22 4. A member with knowledge and expertise in economic development, selected from a list of names submitted by economic development organizations.

SB533,3,25 5. A member representing an organization that specializes in technology transfer, selected from a list of names submitted by organizations that specialize in technology transfer.

SB533, s. 2 Section 2. 36.25 (55) of the statutes is created to read:

SB533,4,7 36.25 (55) Nanotechnology information hub and nanotechnology council. (a) The board shall maintain in the extension a nanotechnology information hub to promote the development of nanotechnology businesses and gather and disseminate information about environmental health and workplace safety related to nanotechnology. The board shall maintain the nanotechnology information hub for at least 5 years.

SB533,4,10 (b) The nanotechnology information hub shall do all of the following to foster communication and cooperation between the public and private sectors on matters related to nanotechnology:

SB533,4,12 1. Facilitate the sharing of specialized equipment and skills related to nanotechnology.

SB533,4,14 2. Arrange for periodic events to bring together people interested in nanotechnology.

SB533,4,16 3. Establish an interactive Internet platform for receiving and disseminating information on nanotechnology.

SB533,4,18 4. Monitor, compile, and disseminate emerging scientific research on nanoscale material uses, benefits, and risks.

SB533,4,20 (c) The nanotechnology information hub shall do all of the following to assist in the development of the nanotechnology industry in this state:

SB533,4,24 1. Help businesses to identify and access resources to help them to comply with rules and regulations related to nanotechnology, implement best practices for handling nanoscale materials to protect worker safety, and otherwise minimize the risks associated with the use of nanoscale materials in products.

SB533,5,2 2. Inform businesses that are involved in nanotechnology or that use nanoscale materials in products about business development assistance programs.

SB533,5,5 3. Inform the public and businesses that are involved in nanotechnology about post-secondary education programs that prepare workers for careers related to nanotechnology.

SB533,5,7 4. Monitor and provide information on new and proposed state rules and federal regulations related to nanotechnology.

SB533,5,9 (d) The nanotechnology information hub shall do all of the following to promote environmental health, research, and workplace safety related to nanotechnology:

SB533,5,11 1. Inform interested parties about opportunities for federal, state, or other funding for nanotechnology research or other programs related to nanotechnology.

SB533,5,13 2. Inform the public about the benefits and risks of specific types of nanoscale materials and products containing nanoscale materials.