The Director of the Office of Science, Innovation and Technology shall:

1. Advise the Governor and the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development on matters relating to science, innovation and technology.

2. Work in coordination with the Office of Economic Development to establish criteria and goals for economic development and diversification in this State in the areas of science, innovation and technology.

3. As directed by the Governor, identify, recommend and carry out policies related to science, innovation and technology.

4. Report periodically to the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development concerning the administration of the policies and programs of the Office of Science, Innovation and Technology.

5. Coordinate activities in this State relating to the planning, mapping and procurement of broadband service in a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory manner, which must include, without limitation:

(a) Development of a strategic plan to improve the delivery of broadband services in this State to schools, libraries, providers of health care, transportation facilities, prisons and other community facilities;

(b) Applying for state and federal grants on behalf of eligible entities and managing state matching money that has been appropriated by the Legislature;

(c) Coordinating and processing applications for state and federal money relating to broadband services;

(d) Prioritizing construction projects which affect or involve the expansion or deployment of broadband services in this State;

(e) In consultation with providers of health care from various health care settings, the expansion of telehealth services to reduce health care costs and increase health care quality and access in this State, especially in rural, unserved and underserved areas of this State;

(f) Expansion of the fiber optic infrastructure in this State for the benefit of the public safety radio and communications systems in this State;

(g) Collection and storage of data relating to agreements and contracts entered into by the State for the provision of fiber optic assets in this State; and

(h) Administration of the trade policy for fiber optic infrastructure in this State.

6. Provide support to the Advisory Council on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and direct the implementation in this State of plans developed by the Council concerning, without limitation, workforce development, college preparedness and economic development.

7. In carrying out his or her duties pursuant to this section, consult with the Executive Director of the Office of Economic Development and cooperate with the Executive Director in implementing the State Plan for Economic Development developed by the Executive Director pursuant to subsection 2 of NRS 231.053.

8. Administer such grants as are provided by legislative appropriation.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2285; A 2011, 3427; 2015, 2826; 2017, 528)