Bill Text: CA ACR153 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: California Council on Science and Technology.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2016-11-30 - From committee without further action. [ACR153 Detail]

Download: California-2015-ACR153-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: ACR 153	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 23, 2016

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Burke

                        MARCH 9, 2016

   Relative to the California Council on Science and Technology.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 153, as amended, Burke. California Council on Science and
Technology.
   This measure would request the California Council on Science and
Technology to establish an executive fellowship program to
embed scientists within California's leading clean technologies.
  place an emphasis on selecting fellows who are
reflective of the state's diversity, specifically regarding race,
ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. 
   Fiscal committee: no.


   
   WHEREAS, California's output of goods and services ranks it as the
eighth greatest economic power in the world; and  
   WHEREAS, California's preeminence in science and technology was
the basis for the development of the aerospace, microelectronics, and
other advanced technologies in this state; and  
   WHEREAS, California state policies to adopt clean technology and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions were the basis for the development of
wind, solar, geothermal, bioenergy, energy storage, and other clean
technologies in this state; and  
   WHEREAS, California owes its preeminence to its excellent
educational system, including the University of California and
California State University systems, its superb independent
universities and colleges, and its extensive community college
system, which provides highly trained manpower for California's clean
technology industries; and  
   WHEREAS, Such research provides education and training to
California's students and an opportunity for faculty to break new
ground solving energy and climate change problems; and 

   WHEREAS, The University of California, together with others in the
state's academic community, maintains preeminent faculties of
capable and world-renowned scientists, engineers, and technological
experts; and  
   WHEREAS, California is fortunate to have a group of major research
universities, the University of California, the University of
Southern California, the California Institute of Technology, and
Stanford University, each acknowledged to be world-class
institutions; and 
   WHEREAS, In 1988, through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 162, the
Legislature requested the President of the University of California,
in collaboration with the presidents of other California-based
universities, to establish the California Council on Science and
Technology (CCST) to ensure the state's competitiveness in science
and technology; and
   WHEREAS, The CCST was directed to bring together experts from
academia, industry, and other research institutions in California to
provide impartial analyses on  science  
scientific  and technological issues affecting the State of
California; and 
   WHEREAS, These scientists and engineers have responded to requests
for analyses on significant and challenging science and technology
related issues in California, ranging from education to climate
change and exploring California's energy future; now, therefore, be
it  
   WHEREAS, The CCST recognized that scientific and technological
issues facing California rapidly grew in complexity and required
legislators to make decisions without having prior background in
science, engineering, or technology; and  
   WHEREAS, In 2009, the CCST formed the California Science and
Technology Policy Fellowships to place professional scientists and
engineers in the California State Legislature for one-year
appointments. These professional development opportunities enable
fellows to develop solutions to complex scientific and technical
issues; and  
   WHEREAS, After seven years in existence, there are 69 CCST Science
and Technology Fellows and alumni. All of the fellows hold Ph.D.s.
They have impacted more than 700 bills. Forty percent of the fellows
stay in the California State Legislature or state agencies after
their fellowships end; and  
   WHEREAS, California is undergoing a demographic shift that makes
it one of the most diverse states, evident in the fact that 75
percent of K-12 pupils are of color; and  
   WHEREAS, It is imperative that the legislative process be informed
by scientists who are reflective of the state's diversity in order
to foster inclusion and input necessary to address issues that
adversely impact growing communities of color, such as climate change
and achieving equity within California's energy sector; now,
therefore, be it 
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature  requests, within
one year of the effective date of this resolution,  
requests  the California Council on Science and Technology to
 establish an executive fellowship program to embed
scientists from diverse backgrounds directly within California's
leading clean technology industries;   place an emphasis
on selecting fellows who are reflective of the state's  
diversity, specifically regarding race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic
status;  and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the Governor, the President of the University of
California, and the Regents of the University of California.