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2010 SESSION

10103353D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 92
Offered January 13, 2010
Prefiled January 12, 2010
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study ways to increase college graduates with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related baccalaureate degrees. Report.
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Patron-- Purkey
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has a tradition of leadership in information technology, nanotechnology, modeling and simulation, biotechnology, and other innovative science and technology fields; and

WHEREAS, the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are collectively considered core technological underpinnings of an advanced society; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers the top 15 highest-earning college degrees all have STEM skills in common as more than 50 percent of the jobs in high-growth industries require a college degree in a STEM field; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Research and Technology Advisory Commission noted in its March 2005 report that a steady influx of science and engineering graduates into the workforce is necessary for continued economic growth in the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, increased emphasis and access to STEM education will ensure that Virginia can continue to be a leader in the science and technology sectors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study ways to increase college graduates with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics related baccalaureate degrees. The joint subcommittee shall have a total membership of 12 members that shall consist of eight legislative members, two nonlegislative citizen members, and two ex officio members. Members shall be appointed as follows: five members of the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; three members of the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be a representative of the private science or technology business community to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and one nonlegislative citizen member who shall be a professor of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics-related courses at a state institution of higher education to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules. The Chairman of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System or their designees shall serve ex officio with voting privileges. Nonlegislative citizen members of the joint subcommittee shall be citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Unless otherwise approved in writing by the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk, nonlegislative citizen members shall only be reimbursed for travel originating and ending within the Commonwealth of Virginia for the purpose of attending meetings. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required. The joint subcommittee shall elect a chairman and vice-chairman from among its membership, who shall be members of the General Assembly.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall: (i) review current statistics on the number of STEM-related degrees awarded annually at higher education institutions in Virginia; (ii) explore the creation of individual income tax incentives; (iii) identify impediments to STEM education; (iv) review existing and successful Virginia Community College programs; (v) consider future industry needs in STEM fields; and (vi) examine ways to encourage partnerships between STEM-related departments at institutions of higher education and science and technology based businesses in the Commonwealth.

Administrative staff support shall be provided by the Office of the Clerk of the House of Delegates. Legal, research, policy analysis, and other services as requested by the joint subcommittee shall be provided by the Division of Legislative Services. Technical assistance shall be provided by State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee for this study, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall be limited to four meetings for the 2010 interim, and the direct costs of this study shall not exceed $8800 without approval as set out in this resolution. Approval for unbudgeted nonmember-related expenses shall require the written authorization of the chairman of the joint subcommittee and the respective Clerk. If a companion joint resolution of the other chamber is agreed to, written authorization of both Clerks shall be required.

No recommendation of the joint subcommittee shall be adopted if a majority of the House members or a majority of the Senate members appointed to the joint subcommittee (i) vote against the recommendation and (ii) vote for the recommendation to fail notwithstanding the majority vote of the joint subcommittee.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2010, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2011 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the joint subcommittee intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and the report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may approve or disapprove expenditures for this study, extend or delay the period for the conduct of the study, or authorize additional meetings during the 2010 interim.