ATC180228: Interim report of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology on the National Research Foundation Amendment Bill [B23 – 2017] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 28 February 2018

Science and Technology

Interim report of the Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology on the National Research Foundation Amendment Bill [B23 – 2017] (National Assembly – sec 75), dated 28 February 2018

 

The Portfolio Committee on Science and Technology (the Committee), having considered the subject of the National Research Foundation Amendment Bill [B23 – 2017] (National Assembly – sec 75), referred to it and classified by the Joint Tagging Mechanism (JTM) as a section 75 Bill, reports as follows:

 

The Bill seeks to amend the National Research Foundation Act 23 of 1998 (Act No. 23 of 1998) in order to affect certain technical amendments and clarify the Minister’s regulatory power, as well as the powers and functions of the Foundation.

 

At the public hearing held on 21 February 2018 and subsequent deliberations on 28 February 2018, the Committee reflected that consideration of the current amendment clauses, which speaks to the structure of the Foundation, may require additional consideration of provisions in the principal Act that are not currently open to consideration within the scope of the Bill as tabled.

 

One such provision is section 9 of the principal Act, which speaks to the executive management committee of the Foundation. 

 

Assembly Rule 286(4)(c) provides that “the committee […] if the Bill amends provisions of legislation, must if it intends to propose amendments to other provisions of that legislation, seek the permission of the Assembly to do so”.

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

The Committee recommends that the National Assembly grants permission in terms of Assembly Rule 286(4)(c) for it to amend other provisions of the National Research Foundation Act 23 of 1998 (Act No. 23 of 1998).

 

 

Report to be considered.