(a)There is hereby established a body politic and corporate, with corporate succession, to be known as the Kansas bioscience authority. The authority shall be an independent instrumentality of the state. Its exercise of the rights, powers and privileges conferred by this act shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential governmental function.
(b)In order to accelerate any and all synergy and opportunities for the growth of the authority, the authority shall be headquartered and establish its principal operation in the county in the state with the highest number of bioscience employees associated with bioscience companies as of the effective date of this act. The exact location of the authority's headquarters and principal operations in such county shall be at the discret
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(a) There is hereby established a body politic and corporate, with corporate succession, to be known as the Kansas bioscience authority. The authority shall be an independent instrumentality of the state. Its exercise of the rights, powers and privileges conferred by this act shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential governmental function.
(b) In order to accelerate any and all synergy and opportunities for the growth of the authority, the authority shall be headquartered and establish its principal operation in the county in the state with the highest number of bioscience employees associated with bioscience companies as of the effective date of this act. The exact location of the authority's headquarters and principal operations in such county shall be at the discretion of the authority's board.
(c) The authority shall be governed by an eleven-member board. One member of the board shall be an agricultural expert who is recognized for outstanding knowledge and leadership in the field of bioscience. Eight of the members of the board shall be representatives of the general public who are recognized for outstanding knowledge and leadership in the fields of finance, business, bioscience research, plant biotechnology, basic research, health care, legal affairs, bioscience manufacturing or product commercialization, education or government. Of the nine voting members, five must be residents of the state. The other two members of the board shall be nonvoting members with research expertise representing state universities and shall be appointed by the Kansas board of regents. Nonvoting members shall serve at the pleasure of the board of regents.
(d) Of the nine voting members who will be appointed to the authority's first board, two shall be appointed by the governor for a term of office of four years, two shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of which shall be the agricultural expert as authorized in subsection (c), for a term of office of three years, two shall be appointed by the president of the senate for a term of office of three years, one shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives for a term of office of two years, one shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate for a term of office of two years, and one member shall be the secretary of commerce. Members of the first board shall be appointed by August 1, 2004. No more than three voting members shall be appointed from any one congressional district. All voting members of the board shall be subject to senate confirmation as provided in K.S.A. 75-4315b, and amendments thereto. Any member of the board whose nomination is subject to confirmation during a regular session of the legislature shall be deemed terminated when the senate rejects the nomination. No such termination shall affect the validity of any action taken by such member of the board before such termination.
(e) Terms of voting members appointed pursuant to this section shall expire on March 15.
(f) After the expiration of the terms of the authority's first board, or whenever a vacancy occurs or is announced regarding a voting member or members of the board, such voting member or members shall be appointed as described in subsections (c) and (d), except that such members shall be appointed for terms of four years each. In the event of a vacancy the appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired portion of the term. Each member of the board shall hold office for the term of appointment and until a successor has been confirmed. Any member of the board is eligible for reappointment, but members of the board shall not be eligible to serve more than three consecutive four-year terms.
(g) Except for appointments of nonvoting members, each appointment shall be forwarded to the senate for confirmation as provided in K.S.A. 75-4315b, and amendments thereto. Except as provided by K.S.A. 46-2601, and amendments thereto, no person appointed to the board shall exercise any power, duty or function as a member of the board until confirmed by the senate. In case of a vacancy when the senate is not in session, the appointing entity may make a temporary appointment to the board until the next meeting of the senate. Any person who is temporarily appointed by the appointing entity to the board shall have all of the powers, duties and functions as a member of the board during such temporary appointment.
(h) The board annually shall elect a voting member as chairperson and at least one other as vice-chairperson. The board also shall elect a secretary and treasurer for terms to be determined by the board. The board may elect the same person to serve as both secretary and treasurer. The board shall establish an executive committee, nominating committee and other standing or special committees, and prescribe their duties and powers. Any executive committee of the board may exercise all such powers and duties of the board as the board may delegate.
(i) Members of the board are entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in K.S.A. 75-3223, and amendments thereto. Members of the board attending board meetings or subcommittee meetings authorized by the board, shall be paid mileage and all other applicable expenses, provided such expenses are consistent with policies established from time-to-time by the board and as required by subsection (j).
(j) No part of the funds of the authority shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its employees, officers or members of the board, except that the authority may make reasonable payments for expenses incurred on its behalf relating to any of its lawful purposes and the authority shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered to or for its benefit relating to any of its lawful purposes, including to pay its employees reasonable compensation.
(k) Any member of the board other than a nonvoting member may be removed by an affirmative vote by six members of the board for malfeasance or misfeasance in office, regularly failing to attend meetings, or for any cause which renders the member incapable of or unfit to discharge the duties of director.
(l) The board shall meet at least four times per year and at such other times as it deems appropriate, or upon call by the president or the chairperson, or upon written request of a majority of the directors of the board. The board may adopt, repeal and amend such rules, procedures and bylaws, not contrary to law or inconsistent with this act, as it deems expedient for its own governance and for the governance and management of the authority. A majority of the total voting membership of the board shall constitute a quorum for meetings. The board may act by a majority of those at any meeting where a quorum is present, except upon such issues as the board may determine shall require a vote of six members of the board for approval. The board shall meet for the initial meeting upon call by the member of the board appointed by the secretary of commerce, who shall act as temporary chairperson until officers of the board are elected pursuant to subsection (h).
(m) The board shall appoint a president who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The president shall serve as the chief executive officer of the authority. The president's salary shall be set by the board. The board may negotiate and enter into an employment agreement with the individual selected as president of the authority, which may provide for compensation allowances, benefits and expenses as may be included in such agreement. The president shall direct and supervise administrative affairs and the general management of the authority.
(n) The board may provide supplemental benefits to the president and other authority employees designated by the board in addition to the benefits provided under this act.
(o) The authority shall continue until terminated by law, except that no such law shall take effect so long as the authority has debts or obligations outstanding, unless adequate provision has been made for the payment or retirement of such debts or obligations. Upon any such dissolution of the authority, all property, funds and assets thereof shall be vested in the state, bioscience research institutions or both as designated by the board, or any other public institute or private enterprise engaged in the business of bioscience, or any combination thereof, as designated by the board and approved by act of the legislature.