PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 2867 PRINTER'S NO. 3060
No. 155 Session of 1982
INTRODUCED BY CESSAR, KUKOVICH, PETERSON, SIEMINSKI, DAWIDA AND
WACHOB, FEBRUARY 8, 1982
AS AMENDED, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 23, 1982
In the House of Representatives, February 8, 1982
1 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of Pennsylvania is
2 faced with many complex public issues having scientific,
3 technologic or technical components; and
4 WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the House of Representatives of
5 Pennsylvania to provide its individual members or their staff
6 and committees with proper resources to evaluate these public
7 issues including sources of independent, nonpartisan information
8 and expertise; and
9 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is blessed with
10 many great colleges and universities and other organizations
11 with vast scientific and technical resources; and
12 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of
13 Pennsylvania in November 1976, and with partial funding from the
14 National Science Foundation, in cooperation with Drexel
15 University, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania State University,
16 Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania and the
17 University of Pittsburgh established the Legislative Office for
1 Research Liaison to provide the House of Representatives with an
2 independent, nonpartisan source of information and expertise on
3 public issues having scientific, technologic or technical
4 components; and
5 WHEREAS, During the first five years of operation, the
6 Legislative Office for Research Liaison has completed over 1,200
7 projects in response to inquiries initiated by over 200
8 legislators and their staff; and
9 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives of Pennsylvania has
10 been a national leader as evidenced by the fact that the
11 Legislative Office for Research Liaison has served as a model
12 for other state legislatures in Alabama, Arkansas, Maryland,
13 Michigan, Puerto Rico and Texas, each of which has established
14 its own research agency that is formally linked to academic
15 institutions; therefore be it
16 RESOLVED, The House of Representatives of Pennsylvania does
17 hereby establish a Legislative Office for Research Liaison,
18 hereinafter referred to as LORL, to provide the House of
19 Representatives with an independent, nonpartisan source of
20 information and expertise on public issues having scientific,
21 technologic or technical components; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, LORL shall serve as the legislative service agency <--
23 responsible for the on-line access to the Legislative
24 Information Service administered by the National Conference of
25 State Legislatures (NCSL). On any topic of interest to
26 legislators or their staff, contact with LORL will result in a
27 computerized search for information from four major data files:
28 State legislative research reports, NCSL articles, other
29 publications such as Federal documents and Congressional
30 Research Service issue briefs and NCSL research management
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1 information. Upon request, LORL shall be responsible for
2 obtaining the full text of all those publications identified
3 through NCSL's Legislative Information Service; and be it
4 further
5 RESOLVED, The operation of LORL shall be under the control
6 and direction of the Legislative Committee for Research Liaison,
7 hereinafter referred to as the LORL Committee, which shall
8 consist of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the
9 Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, one member of
10 the Majority Party of the House of Representatives to be
11 appointed by the Speaker, the Minority Leader of the House of
12 Representatives, the Minority Whip of the House of
13 Representatives, one member of the Minority Party of the House
14 of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker after
15 consultation with the Minority Leader of the House of
16 Representatives, and two representatives from among the
17 participating organizations to be appointed by the Speaker after
18 consultation with the University Committee for Research Liaison
19 The Speaker, the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader and the
20 Minority Whip of the House of Representatives may designate
21 another member of their respective caucuses to be a member of
22 the LORL Committee in their stead or to temporarily act on
23 behalf of such officer. Members of the LORL Committee who are
24 members of the House of Representatives shall serve during each
25 regular session of the General Assembly and shall continue as
26 members until the first Tuesday in January of the next odd-
27 numbered year and until their respective successors shall
28 qualify, provided they continue to be members of the House of
29 Representatives. Members of the LORL Committee who are
30 representatives of a participating organization shall serve
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1 during a regular session of the General Assembly and until their
2 respective successors shall qualify. Such members of the LORL
3 Committee who are representatives of participating organizations
4 shall be chosen from the University Committee for Research
5 Liaison, but no such member may serve on the LORL Committee for
6 two consecutive regular sessions of the General Assembly. The
7 LORL Committee has a continuing existence and may meet and
8 conduct its business during sessions of the Legislature or any
9 recess thereof and in the interim between sessions; and be it
10 further
11 RESOLVED, The LORL Committee shall organize immediately after
12 the final enactment of this resolution, and thereafter within 30
13 days after the convening of the regular session of the General
14 Assembly. The Speaker of the House of Representatives or his
15 designee shall be the Chairman and the Executive Director of
16 LORL shall serve as the recording secretary for the LORL
17 Committee. The LORL Committee shall elect a Secretary and such
18 other officers as it deems necessary. The LORL Committee shall
19 meet at least semi-annually during each calendar year. The time
20 and place of meetings of the LORL Committee shall be at the call
21 of the chairman. Five members of the LORL Committee shall
22 constitute a quorum and an affirmative vote of five members
23 shall be necessary to pass on any matter requiring action; and
24 be it further
25 RESOLVED, The LORL Committee shall have the following powers
26 and duties:
27 (1) To establish and operate LORL.
28 (2) To appoint and employ an Executive Director, who <--
29 shall be the chief executive officer of the LORL Committee,
30 and to fix the compensation for such Executive Director. The
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1 LORL Committee shall seek the advice of the University
2 Committee for Research Liaison in the selection of an
3 Executive Director of LORL.
4 (3) To determine the number of permanent professional
5 and support staff as the LORL Committee deems necessary in
6 the performance of its duties. In addition, the LORL
7 Committee shall establish job qualifications and descriptions
8 for each permanent position and set initial appointment
9 salary ranges for all permanent positions.
10 (2) TO APPOINT AND EMPLOY AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WHO <--
11 SHALL BE THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE LORL COMMITTEE,
12 AND TO FIX THE COMPENSATION FOR SUCH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN
13 ACCORDANCE WITH THE JOB CLASSIFICATION AND PAY PLANS ADOPTED
14 BY THE BIPARTISAN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. THE LORL COMMITTEE
15 SHALL SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE FOR
16 RESEARCH LIAISON IN THE SELECTION OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF
17 LORL.
18 (3) TO DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF PERMANENT PROFESSIONAL
19 AND SUPPORT STAFF DEEMED NECESSARY IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS
20 DUTIES. IN ADDITION, THE LORL COMMITTEE SHALL ESTABLISH JOB
21 QUALIFICATIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS FOR EACH PERMANENT POSITION
22 AS WELL AS PERSONNEL POLICIES CONSISTENT WITH THE RULES AND
23 REGULATIONS ADOPTED BY THE BIPARTISAN MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
24 FOR PROMULGATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF PERSONNEL POLICIES AND
25 PROCEDURES, AND JOB CLASSIFICATION AND PAY PLANS.
26 (4) To determine the terms and conditions for the
27 appointment of visiting scientists and student interns and
28 the appointment of part-time staff as the LORL Committee
29 deems necessary in the performance of its duties.
30 (5) To enter into contracts for such professional,
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1 expert, or technical services as the LORL Committee deems
2 necessary in the performance of its duties.
3 (6) To purchase or rent such equipment and supplies as
4 the LORL Committee deems necessary in the performance of its
5 duties.
6 (7) To make such rules and regulations as the LORL
7 Committee deems necessary to properly fulfill its powers and
8 duties including, but not limited to, the determination of
9 the terms and conditions to be met by any participating
10 organization.
11 (8) To receive applications and to prepare for
12 ratification by the House of Representatives, prior to the
13 beginning of an odd-numbered calendar year, the list of new
14 participating organizations, if any, deemed appropriate for
15 carrying out the purposes of this resolution.
16 (9) To determine the long-term research projects to be
17 undertaken by LORL. Such determination shall be made after
18 consultation with the University Committee for Research
19 Liaison.
20 (10) To monitor and evaluate the performance of LORL.
21 (11) To accept on behalf of LORL monetary aid or grants
22 from the Federal Government, any college or university, or
23 any foundation or agency. Such aid or grants shall be
24 appropriated to LORL to carry out the purposes of this
25 resolution; and be it further
26 RESOLVED, The Executive Director of LORL shall perform such <--
27 duties as shall be assigned him by the LORL Committee including,
28 but not limited to, the day-to-day operation of LORL and the
29 determination of personnel policies for LORL staff. However, the
30 Executive Director may hire only those permanent staff in
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1 positions authorized by the LORL Committee and at initial
2 starting salaries that fall within the salary ranges set by the
3 LORL Committee; visiting
4 RESOLVED, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LORL SHALL PERFORM SUCH <--
5 DUTIES AS SHALL BE ASSIGNED BY THE LORL COMMITTEE INCLUDING, BUT
6 NOT LIMITED TO, THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF LORL AND THE
7 ADMINISTRATION OF APPROVED PERSONNEL POLICIES. VISITING
8 scientists and interns may be appointed by the Executive
9 Director in compliance with the terms and conditions applicable
10 to said part-time positions. In addition, the Executive Director
11 of LORL shall be responsible for:
12 (1) The preparation of an annual expenditure plan for
13 the review and approval of the LORL Committee.
14 (2) Conveying and assigning legislative inquiries to the
15 LORL staff and issuing completed responses/reports to the
16 appropriate Legislators or their staff and committees of the
17 House of Representatives; AND BE IT FURTHER <--
18 (3) Overseeing the continuous and efficient search for <--
19 information from the NCSL's Legislative Information Service;
20 and be it further
21 RESOLVED, The Executive Director shall have the following
22 minimum qualifications to be eligible for appointment:
23 (1) An earned doctoral degree from an accredited
24 institution of higher learning in the physical, life, or
25 social sciences.
26 (2) Direct working experience in the legislative process
27 and experience in higher education as an administrator and
28 teacher/researcher.
29 (3) The ability to translate complex scientific or
30 technical information into language that is reasonably
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1 understandable.
2 (4) The tact, diplomacy, and credentials to form a good
3 working relationship between the House of Representatives and
4 the various participating organizations in LORL.
5 In lieu of the above qualifications, the LORL Committee may
6 determine that the educational background and experience of a
7 person is such that they are equivalent to the above
8 qualifications and that such person is capable of performing the
9 duties of Executive Director of LORL; and be it further
10 RESOLVED, The interaction of the participating organizations
11 with LORL shall be coordinated by the University Committee for
12 Research Liaison, hereinafter referred to as the University
13 Committee. The University Committee shall consist of the Speaker
14 of the House, the Minority Leader of the House, one member from
15 each participating organization appointed by the Chairman of the
16 LORL Committee after consultation with the chief administrative
17 officer of each participating organization, and the Executive
18 Director of LORL who shall serve as Chairman of the University
19 Committee. The designated Legislators may each name another
20 member of their respective caucuses to serve in their stead on
21 the University Committee. Such members of the University
22 Committee shall serve during each regular session of the General
23 Assembly and until their respective successors shall qualify;
24 and be it further
25 RESOLVED, The University Committee shall meet at the call of
26 the chairman and shall be responsible for recommending to the
27 LORL Committee those policies and procedures which would
28 contribute to the objectives of LORL; advising the Executive
29 Director of LORL on means to facilitate and make more mutually
30 beneficial the relationship of LORL with the participating
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1 organizations in their use of resource personnel and data in
2 responding to inquiries from LORL; and handling those matters
3 specifically referred to it by the LORL Committee; and be it
4 further
5 RESOLVED, The following shall be the charter INITIAL <--
6 participating organizations for purposes of this resolution:
7 Drexel University.
8 Lincoln University.
9 Pennsylvania State University.
10 Temple University.
11 University of Pennsylvania.
12 University of Pittsburgh; and be it further
13 RESOLVED, Within 60 days of the enactment of this resolution,
14 the chief administrative officer of each of the above-named
15 colleges and universities shall submit in writing to the
16 Chairman of the LORL Committee a statement including, but not
17 limited to,
18 (1) the name, title, address, and phone number of the
19 person on his campus designated as the contact for the
20 processing of legislative inquiries received from LORL;
21 (2) agreement to provide the services without cost to
22 the House of Representatives of visiting scientists according
23 to a master schedule for visiting scientists as developed and
24 approved by the LORL Committee;
25 (3) the name, title, address, and phone number of the
26 person on his campus designated as the person responsible for
27 government relations between his institution and the
28 Commonwealth; and
29 (4) a statement indicating that his institution is
30 willing to continue as a participating organization during
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1 the remainder of the regular session of the General Assembly
2 in which this resolution is enacted; and be it further
3 RESOLVED, The chief administrative officer of any other
4 organization, unnamed herein, seeking membership as a
5 participating organization for purposes of this resolution shall
6 submit in writing, not later than August 31 in any even-numbered
7 year, to the Chairman of the LORL Committee, an application for
8 membership including, but not limited to, evidence of ability to
9 meet the terms and conditions as required by the LORL Committee
10 for any participating organization; however, no organization
11 having an apparent advocacy interest in any public issues
12 handled by LORL shall be considered for membership as a
13 participating organization; and be it further
14 RESOLVED, The House of Representatives, not later than
15 December 31 in any even-numbered year, shall consider for
16 ratification by appropriate resolution the list of new
17 participating organizations, if any, as submitted and
18 recommended by the LORL Committee and, upon ratification by the
19 House of Representatives, those organizations so approved by the
20 House of Representatives shall be considered as participating
21 members as of January 1 in the following odd-numbered year; and
22 be it further
23 RESOLVED, The House of Representatives, its members or their
24 staff, and committees may request assistance from LORL on any
25 public issue having scientific, technologic or technical
26 components including those requests requiring a search for <--
27 information from the NCSL's Legislative Information Service. AND <--
28 LORL SHALL HAVE ACCESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION SERVICE OF
29 THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES (NCSL). A response
30 to each inquiry shall be made according to guidelines developed
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1 and approved by the LORL Committee; and be it further
2 RESOLVED, The Controller in the Office of the Chief Clerk of <--
3 the House of Representatives shall be responsible for the
4 payment of all salaries and expenses of LORL according to
5 guidelines developed and approved by the LORL Committee; and be
6 it further
7 RESOLVED, THE COMPTROLLER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES <--
8 SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROCESSING OF ALL PAYROLLS AND
9 EXPENSES OF LORL AS AUTHORIZED BY THE LORL COMMITTEE; AND BE IT
10 FURTHER
11 RESOLVED, All prior unspent appropriations to LORL shall not
12 lapse and are hereby reappropriated to LORL established by this
13 resolution; and be it further
14 RESOLVED, The members of the LORL Committee and the
15 University Committee, except the Executive Director of LORL,
16 shall serve without compensation. Only legislators shall be
17 reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred while attending
18 sessions of the committee of which they are members or any
19 subcommittee thereof; and be it further
20 RESOLVED, This resolution shall take effect immediately.
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