TITLE GOVERNOR

Executive Order

Relating to the creation of the Governor's Council on Science and Biotechnology Development.

WHEREAS, like the pervasiveness of semi-conductors, biotechnology is an increasingly broad field, touching crop science and animal health, patient care and biopharmaceutical development; and

WHEREAS, fields historically thought of as information technology and engineering take on a new bio-identity when they are targeted for use in the fast growing areas of bioinformatics, genomics, and nanotechnology; and

WHEREAS, intellectual property is the lifeblood of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth; and

WHEREAS, Texas universities are engines of intellectual property creation; and

WHEREAS, technology transfer of university intellectual property has been found to be a critical resource to long term productivity gains as well as social and economic progress; and

WHEREAS, Texas currently possesses many of the building blocks of a top tier biotechnology and life sciences industry, but has not yet fully leveraged those resources to their full potential; and

WHEREAS, through thoughtful and deliberate action, Texas can build a solid foundation to become a global leader in biotechnology;

NOW, THEREFORE, I Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, by virtue of the power vested in me, do hereby create and establish the Governor's Council on Science and Biotechnology Development, hereafter referred to as the "Council."

The Council shall consist of members appointed by the Governor. Each member shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Council shall:

(1) Identify opportunities and means to promote cooperation and collaboration among universities to bring more federal research funds to Texas and to improve the universities and to contribute to economic growth; and

(2) Propose state policies and actions that promote technology development and transfer in Texas including the creation of partnerships that support and benefit the establishment of new technology industries in all areas of Texas; and

(3) Analyze and propose state policies that encourage ready availability and accessibility of venture capital and commercial lending, especially in areas of the state seeking to increase high tech development through the establishment of Regional Councils; and

(4) Promote connectivity and synergy among sectors, including access to capital to create a statewide approach to make Texas a top biotech destination; and

(5) Produce an annual report tracking the Council's progress to be presented to the Governor; and

(6) Perform other duties as assigned by the Governor.

The members of the Council shall receive neither compensation nor per diem, but shall receive reimbursement in an amount not to exceed the amount authorized by the Texas General Appropriations Act for reasonable and necessary travel expenses incurred in the direct performance of their official duties.

The Office of the Governor may provide staff support as necessary for the Council. This executive order repeals GWB 96-6, which created the Texas Science and Technology Council, and shall remain in effect until modified, amended, rescinded, or superseded by me or by a succeeding Governor.

Given under my hand this the 17th day of January, 2002.

Rick Perry, Governor