46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE NEW MEXICO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CREATE AN INTERIM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE.

WHEREAS, New Mexico has an important history in science and technology and remains one of the nation's principal sources of cutting-edge technologies; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico regularly leads the nation in per capita research and development spending and per capita population of Ph.D. scientists and engineers, but is among the lowest in per capita income; and

WHEREAS, the future of a successful technology-based economy in New Mexico depends on the interaction of federal, state and local resources and the leveraging of those resources; and

WHEREAS, many other states with fewer science and technology resources than New Mexico have developed strategic plans for science and technology that have provided guidance to policymakers and business leaders; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, the national science foundation made New Mexico part of its experimental program to stimulate competitive research; and

WHEREAS, the national science foundation's experimental program to stimulate competitive research promotes the development of a state's science and technology resources through partnerships involving a state's universities, industries and government and the federal research and development apparatus; and

WHEREAS, the national science foundation's experimental program to stimulate competitive research operates on the principle that aiding researchers and institutions in securing federal funding will develop a state's research infrastructure and advance economic growth, and its goal is to maximize the potential that is inherent in a state's science and technology resources and use those resources as a foundation for economic growth; and

WHEREAS, the governor of New Mexico charged the state's experimental program to stimulate competitive research committee with developing a state strategic plan for science and technology; and

WHEREAS, for many years, the legislature of the state of New Mexico has been concerned with economic and rural development with the goals of job creation, improvement in per capita income and improved quality of life for New Mexicans; and

WHEREAS, legislative consideration of the elements of a state science and technology plan is critical;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to create an interim science and technology committee; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the New Mexico legislative council be requested to direct the interim committee to develop legislative input for a state science and technology plan by studying the state's development of technology and space-related industries, issues surrounding technology transfer and commercialization by the state's public institutions, issues surrounding education, including science and mathematics education, the state's work force and how rural communities can benefit from science and technology; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.