nr 27 86

Req. #6736

By Assemblyman Monagan
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO,

Relative to creating the Assembly Science
Advisory Council,

WHEREAS, The growth and rapid changes in the
environment, living conditions, and social structures
in California have placed upon the Legislature the need
to make critical public policy decisions of great com-
plexity; and

WHEREAS, It is essential that sound decisions
and planning on complex social, economic and environ-
mental issues be based upon the best information and ad-
vice available, including contributions to public policy
formulation from the research and activities of natural
and social scientists and the academic community; and

- WHEREAS, The Legislature is concerned that

critical problem areas are in need of basic, applied and
developmentai research, and that it is essential that
maximum use be made of scientific developments in public
programs and policy formulation; and

WHEREAS, There is a need to create new instru-
ments and procedures to enable the Legislature to call

the attention of the scientific and academic community
to such critical problem areas and to define and resolve
the range of serious current ami future problems facing
our state; and

WHEREAS, The most effective use of scientific
developments in public programs and the encouragement
of research on public problems of concern to the Legis-
lature require direct and continuous communication
between the Legislature and the scientific and academic
community; now, therefore, be it

- Resolved by the Assembly of the State of
California, That the Members establish a Science Advisory
Council, as a function assigned to the General Research
Committee, the purpose of the Council being to provide
the Members with information on scientific and techno-
logical developments and to:

(a) Make possible the practical application
of such developments in attacking the serious problems
facing our state; .

(b) Assist the Legislature in evaluating the
effects of changes brought about by technology and sci-
entific advance on political, social and economic organ-
ization and the environment;

(c) Communicate to the scientific community
broad areas of legislative concern in which there is a
need for basic and applied research; and

(a) Bring to the public policy formulation
process the advice, counsel, technical judgment and ex-
pert assistance of outstanding members of the scientific

2
community; and be it further

Resolved, That the Science Advisory Council
shall consist of not less than five nor more than twenty
persons, appointed by the Chairman of the General Re-
search Committee, with both broad and specific knowledge
of research and developments in the social and natural
sciences; and be it further

Resolved, That a subcommittee of the General
Research Committee be established to assist in directing
the work of the Science Advisory Council consisting of
the Chairman, or Vice Chairman if so designated by the
Chairman, of each Assembly Standing Committee, with the
Chairman of the General Research Committee acting as

the subcommittee chairman.
ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS RELATING TO PROPOSED SCIENCE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Il.

General Research Committee - Speaker, Chairman

Has general supervision of activity of Council. Speaker

appoints Council members.

A. Subcommittee on Science Advisory Council (all Committee Chairmen
or Vice Chairmen)

1. Directs work of Council.

2. Develops specific problem areas for Council to
consider and periodically reviews progress.

The Science Advisory Council

 

A. Membership: Flexible - minimum of five and maximum of 20.
Begin with five as a nucleus and add more when appropriate.

B. Selection of members:

 

1. Fields of selection to be based on priorities of activity
of Council.

2. Persons with recognized specialty but broad prospective.
3. Persons with contact with broad range of research and
development activities and sensitivity to public policy
issues.
4. Choose from a) Public and private academic institutions
b) Industry
c) Scientific and research organizations
(e.g. RAND)
ad) Foundations
e) Include persons involved in administration
of research
C. Meetings: Monthly - one or two days each. Special events
such as symposia, seminars, etc.
D. Compensation: Expenses. Other provisions to be determined.

E. Staff: Professional and secretarial staff will be pro-

vided through the General Research Committee as necessary.
F.

Functions of the Council:

 

l.

Provide continuous communication channel between

Legislature and academic community.

a) Provide Assembly with information from the
scientific community that is affecting or will
affect public policy decisions.

b) Communicate legislative needs to the scientific
community, including the encouragement of out-
side research in areas of legislative concern.

Lend expertise to reviewing research and program

development activities of various Assembly staffs

with the hope of eventually proposing potential
criteria to evaluate the relevance and effectiveness
of policy making operations.

Provide nucleus of technical advisory groups on

specific problems and advise Legislature on priorities

and outside assistance relative to specific legislative

investigations.