GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

S                                                                                                                                                     1

SENATE BILL 565

Short Title:     Funds for School of Nanotechnology.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Senators Hagan and Dorsett.
Referred to:	Appropriations/Base Budget.

March 7, 2007

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to appropriate funds for the development of the Joint school of nanoscience and nanoengineering, a collaboration of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Whereas, explosive growth in the research, development, and commercialization of nanoscience and nanoengineering is affecting almost every existing industrial sector worldwide; and

Whereas, the evolving fields of nanoscience and nanoengineering will lead to technical advancements that will impact the economy, workforce, existing industries, and our society in general in a positive way; and

Whereas, several types of industries, including those involving life sciences, energy, automobiles, and agriculture, are integrating nanotechnology and nanoscience into their existing products as well as their new products; and

Whereas, the overall body of knowledge in nanoscience and nanoengineering is critical to future scientific innovations; and 

Whereas, North Carolina is among the leading states in the quality of its research base in nanotechnology; and

Whereas, a collaborative effort of industry and academia in the State could direct research in the areas of nanoscience and nanoengineering, educate and train scientists and engineers to conduct basic and applied research in those areas, and engage in activities that influence economic development in the State; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of sixty‑five million one hundred one thousand dollars ($65,101,000) for the 2007‑2009 fiscal biennium to establish the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, a collaboration of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  The funds shall be used to plan, construct, and equip the school at Gateway University Research Park, the joint millennial campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The funds shall also be used to recruit and hire premier, highly accomplished scholars in nanoscience and nanoengineering as faculty, to develop the academic programs at the school, including an interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in nanoscience and a professional science masters program, to conduct research, and to engage in educational and economic development activities.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2007.