The National Assembly (NA) has during its plenary sitting today passed the Science and Technology Laws Amendment Bill.
The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Scientific Research Council Act, 1988, the Academy of Science of South Africa Act, 2001, the Human Sciences Research Council Act, 2008, the Technology Innovation Agency Act, 2008, and the South African National Space Agency Act, 2008, so as to harmonise the processes for the termination of the membership of Boards or Councils of the entities established by these Acts.
The Bill also aims to, amongst others, clarify the requirements for the disqualification of persons from membership of Boards or Councils; to provide for the appointment of external persons to committees of Boards or Councils; and to provide for the determination of the remuneration and allowances of members of the Boards or Councils and committees of the Boards or Councils.
The Bill was first considered by the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology during the previous term of Parliament and was tabled before the NA. However, the term of the House came to an end before the bill could be passed.
The Bill was revived through a resolution of a House in the new term of Parliament and referred to the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology. This Committee deliberated on the Bill and recommended that the NA pass the Bill without amendments.
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Moloto Mothapo
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