Section 53B-18-1805 - Duties of the project director(1) The project director and the steering committee shall consult the following parties in developing and carrying out the initiative: (a) representatives of each sector described in the industry advisory board membership in Subsection 53B-18-1804(1), regardless of whether that sector is actually represented on the industry advisory board;(b) institutions of higher education, including institutions of technical education, both inside and outside this state;(c) the chairs of the following committees of the Legislature: (i) the Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee;(ii) the Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim Committee; and(iii) the Transportation Interim Committee; and(d) any other persons or entities the steering committee determines are relevant or necessary to fulfilling the stated mission.(2) The project director, in consultation with the steering committee and the industry advisory board, shall lead an outreach and promotional effort to: (a) build awareness among stakeholders, industry partners, federal agencies, and the state's congressional delegation of the state's efforts to be a national leader in electrifying the state's transportation system; and(b) attract industry partners and industry and federal investment to the state to design, develop, and deliver systems to promote and implement the initiative.(3) The project director shall: (a) oversee the operations of the initiative; and(b) propose to the steering committee the program budget for the expenditure of funds appropriated by the Legislature to carry out the duties under this part.(4)(a) The project director may, in accordance with this part, and subject to this Subsection (4), expend funds appropriated by the Legislature.(b)(i) Before October 1, 2023, the project director may not expend more than 25% of the annual project budget.(ii) At the first meeting of the steering committee, the project director shall: (A) provide a detailed account to the steering committee for all expenditures made before October 1, 2023; and(B) present a budget proposal for the remainder of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.(iii) Before October 1, 2023, the project director may expend funds for the following purposes: (A) establish necessary and time-sensitive groundwork for development of the vision and strategic objective of the initiative;(B) acquisition of materials needed for the initiative; and(C) costs to hire and pay salaries of staff.(c) Except as described in Subsection (4)(b), the project director: (i) shall propose an annual budget for the initiative; and(ii) may not expend funds appropriated to the research center outside of the approved budget without approval of the steering committee.Added by Chapter 494, 2023 General Session ,§ 5, eff. 5/3/2023.