Strategic plan; reports

(a) The council shall develop a strategic state plan for science and technology research that establishes a collaborative process to engage all scientific research resources, both public and private, in a comprehensive, strategic network. The council's strategic state plan serves as the state plan for science and technology research. (b) At a minimum, the strategic plan shall address science and technology research resources and their relation to the following areas of research: (1) Human and physical infrastructure; (2) Policy development; (3) Education and outreach; (4) Research innovation; and (5) Economic development. (c) Periodically, the council shall reassess the strategic state plan and update it as needed. Any new or updated strategic state plan shall be approved by the commission prior to becoming effective. (d) The EPSCoR Advisory Council's current "Vision 2015: The West Virginia Science and Technology Strategic Plan" serves as the state plan for science and technology research until a plan is approved by the council. (e) The council shall report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability by July 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, on progress in implementing the strategic state plan, as well as any updates to the plan.