SB 537

This bill requires the University of Wisconsin (UW) System Board of Regents

to maintain a nanotechnology information hub (hub) in the UW-Extension, for at

least five years, to promote the development of nanotechnology businesses in this

state, and gather and disseminate information about environmental health and

workplace safety related to nanotechnology. The bill sets forth specific duties for the

hub, including requiring the hub to report to the legislature on emerging

nanotechnology health and safety information. The bill also requires the hub, at the

direction of the nanotechnology council described below, to identify needed

legislation relating to nanotechnology safety and development.

The bill creates a nanotechnology council to set policies and priorities for the

hub and to make grants for research and development related to nanotechnology,

subject to the availability of funding. The bill does not appropriate any funds for

grants but rather directs the hub to seek and compete for federal, state, or other

funding to support its activities and to be used by the nanotechnology council to make

grants. The nanotechnology council consists of the following members (or their

designees): the director of the state laboratory of hygiene; the secretary of natural

resources; the secretary of agriculture, trade and consumer protection; the secretary

of health services; the secretary of workforce development; the chief executive officer

of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; the administrator of the

Division of Emergency Management in the Department of Military Affairs; the

president of the UW System; the president of the technical college system board; and

the president of the board of the Wisconsin Technology Council. The council also has

five members each of whom represents one of the following interests: environmental

interests; consumer protection; public health; economic development; and

technology transfer. These five members are nominated by the governor, selected

from a list of names submitted by organizations representing the relevant interest.

These members are confirmed by the senate and serve staggered three-year terms.

The bill requires the nanotechnology council to meet at least twice each year

and must develop and implement plans for the nanotechnology information hub to

sustain its own funding.