NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1963 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 1006

HOUSE BILL 808

 

 

AN ACT CREATING A STATE BOARD OF SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND PROVIDING FOR ITS MEMBERS, THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, SELECTION, APPOINTMENT, POWERS, DUTIES AND FINANCING.

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

 

Section 1.  There is hereby created the North Carolina Board of Space and Technology herein referred to as "the Board". The purpose of the Board shall be, through the exercise of its powers and performance of the duties set forth in this Act, to encourage, promote, and support the scientific, engineering, and industrial research and applications in North Carolina to the end that the State will benefit from, and contribute to, economic and technical developments resulting from advances in the space and related sciences.

Sec. 2.  The Board shall consist of fifteen members, and the Governor, who shall serve as Chairman. On the first day of July, 1963, the Governor shall appoint the fifteen members of the Board. Seven members shall be appointed to serve for terms of two (2) years each; eight members shall be appointed for terms of four (4) years each; and upon the expiration of the respective terms of the original members, the successors shall be appointed by the Governor for terms of four (4) years each thereafter. Two members shall be from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; two members shall be from North Carolina State College at Raleigh; two members shall be from Duke University; one member shall be from the membership of the Governor's Scientific Advisory Committee; one member shall be from the membership of the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Atomic Energy; three members shall be from the membership of the General Assembly; three members shall be from industry within the State; and one member shall be appointed upon nomination by the executive Committee of the Board of the Research Triangle Institute. The members appointed from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and from North Carolina State College at Raleigh shall be nominated by the President of the University of North Carolina. The members appointed from Duke University shall be nominated by the President of Duke University. All members appointed to the Board shall serve for the duration of their respective terms and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Board because of death, resignation, or otherwise, shall be filled by the Governor for the unexpired term of such member. Appointees to the Board shall have demonstrated their interest in, and ability to contribute to, the fulfillment of the purpose of the Board.

Sec. 4.  The Board shall have the following specific powers and duties, in the exercise and performance of which it shall be subject to the provisions of Article 1, Chapter 143 of the General Statutes:

(1)        The Board shall be responsible for the allocation of funds for, but not necessarily limited to, such objects as grants for scientific engineering or technological projects, the support of scientific or research personnel, the purchase of equipment or supplies, the construction or modification of facilities, and the employment of consultants. In general, such allocations will be made for the support of activities, equipment and facilities in the space and associated science fields relevant to the objectives of the Board which are associated with the existing public or private agencies in the State, such as the public and private institutions of higher education, the Research Triangle Institute and similar entities.

(2)        The Board shall be responsible for the review of the expenditure of all funds allocated by the Board, subject to the provisions of the Executive Budget Act.

(3)        The Board's activities shall be centered in the Research Triangle, and will be closely allied to the Research Triangle Institute.

(4)        The Board shall encourage liason between industry, educational institutions, the Research Triangle of North Carolina, and Federal agencies, such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Atomic Energy Commission, the Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Health.

(5)        The Board shall hold regular meetings to inform industry of the possible space and nuclear applications which can accelerate the growth of the North Carolina industrial economy.

(6)        The Board shall encourage the cooperation of the State's industrial community, to the end that industry shall assist in screening and identifying research results fof possible industrial applications.

(7)        The Board will from time to time, arrange to have seminars, short courses, visits and practical demonstrations held to foster interest in the results of research as a means of achieving economic progress.

Sec. 5.  In order to effectuate the provisions of this Act, the Board shall be furnished suitable facilities at the Research Triangle, and shall, within the limits of funds provided by law, appoint such employees as shall be sufficient to carry out the provisions of this Act, such employees being subject to the provisions of Article 2, Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, entitled "State Personnel Department".

Sec. 6.  Members of the Board shall receive no compensation for their services other than such per diem allowances and allowance for travel expenses as may be provided in each biennial appropriation Act for such members.

Sec. 7.  The necessary expenditures of the Board shall be provided in a budget subject to the provisions of Article 1, Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, entitled "The Executive Budget Act".

Sec. 8.  If a court of competent jurisdiction shall adjudge any clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection, Section, or part of this Act to be invalid or unconstitutional, such judgment or decree shall not affect, impair, invalidate, or nullify the remainder of this Act, but the effect thereof shall be confined to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subsection, Section, or part of this Act so adjudged.

Sec. 9.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 10.  This Act shall be in full force and effect from and after its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 19th day of June, 1963.