It is the intent of the Legislature that the university establish a scientific advisory committee to provide advice to the president of the university as to the direction, scope, and progress of the research program.
(a) Responsibilities of the committee may include, but are not limited to:
(1) Provision of advice on program priorities and emphasis.
(2) Provision of advice on overall program budget.
(3) Participation in periodic program evaluation.
(4) Assistance in developing guidelines to assure fairness, neutrality, and adherence to the principles of merit and quality in the conduct of the program.
(5) Assistance in developing appropriate linkages to nonacademic entities, including, but not limited to, voluntary organizations, health care delivery institutions, industry, government agencies, and public officials.
(b) Responsibilities of the committee may additionally include:
(1) Development of criteria and standards for grant awards.
(2) Development of administrative procedures relative to the solicitation, review, and award of grants to ensure an impartial, high quality peer review system.
(3) Development and supervision of research review panels.
(4) Review of research review panel reports and recommendations for grant awards.
(5) Development and oversight of mechanisms for the dissemination of research results.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that the committee consist of at least nine members representing a range of scientific expertise and experience appointed by the president of the university from nominations submitted by relevant organizations, as follows:
(1) Three members from voluntary health organizations dedicated to the reduction of tobacco use.
(2) One member with expertise in the field of biomedical research.
(3) One member with expertise in the field of behavioral or social research.
(4) One member from professional medical or health organizations.
(5) One member from an independent research university in California.
(6) One member drawn from other institutions engaged in research directed at tobacco-related diseases.
(7) One member representing tobacco control for the department.
(8) One member representing a community-based provider of health education and prevention services.
(d) Committee membership shall be drawn from the ranks of bona fide scientists and individuals fully conversant with the norms of scientific inquiry.
(e) Members shall serve at the pleasure of the President of the University of California. Membership may be staggered in such a way as to maintain a full committee while ensuring a reasonable degree of continuity of expertise and consistency of direction.
(f) Members shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for travel and other necessary expenses actually incurred in the performance of their official duties.
(g) The Legislature hereby declares that public policy research is an area of compelling interest because of its potential to determine the best methods for reducing tobacco use on a wide scale among Californians. The scientific advisory committee shall give a high priority to proposals for grant awards to fund public policy research.
(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1996.)