HB 1237

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to advanced science and technology
3research; creating s. 1004.226, F.S.; creating the 21st
4Century Technology, Research, and Scholarship Enhancement
5Act; providing legislative findings and intent; providing
6definitions; creating the Florida Technology, Research,
7and Scholarship Board within the Board of Governors of the
8State University System; providing for members of the
9board; providing for terms; providing for board members to
10be reimbursed for per diem and expenses incurred in the
11performance of their duties; requiring that the Board of
12Governors of the State University System provide staff
13support and other support for the board; requiring that
14the board provide recommendations for the 21st Century
15World Class Scholars Program and the Centers of Excellence
16Program; authorizing the board to form committees and
17consult with certain other entities; providing for the
1821st Century World Class Scholars Program to provide
19matching funds to state universities to pay salaries and
20support research in science and technology; providing
21guidelines for the board in the development of criteria
22for recommendation to the Board of Governors; requiring a
23minimum investment of private funds; specifying the
24purposes of the Centers of Excellence; requiring the board
25to recommend to the Board of Governors criteria for
26approving proposals to create or expand a Center of
27Excellence, to solicit proposals, and to recommend
28proposals that meet such criteria; requiring documentation
29if funds are approved for a Center of Excellence in excess
30of a specified amount; requiring reports by Centers of
31Excellence and the Board of Governors; providing for
32expiration of the act; providing appropriations and
33authorizing positions; providing for carrying forward
34certain unexpended balances; providing an effective date.
35
36Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
37
38     Section 1.  Section 1004.226, Florida Statutes, is created
39to read:
40     1004.226  The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
41Scholarship Enhancement Act.--
42     (1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--
43     (a)  The Legislature finds that diversifying this state's
44economy requires a focus on building a growing base of high-wage
45jobs and on nurturing those technologies and clusters that will
46be the foundation of Florida's growing economic diversity and
47prosperity.
48     (b)  The Legislature further finds that special programs
49are needed to facilitate the recruitment of exceptional talent
50to Florida's research universities and centers and to provide
51the infrastructure and resources that precipitate joint efforts
52and coinvestment among state research and development
53institutions, private industry, and government. Florida needs
54consistent commitment and investment in order to further the
55state's strategy of capitalizing on innovative research and
56development to build a thriving, technology-rich economy.
57     (2)  CREATION.--The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
58Scholarship Enhancement Act is created for the purpose of:
59     (a)  Investing in programs that attract world class
60scholars and building Centers of Excellence as an important
61means of increasing technology-based business in this state;
62     (b)  Requiring coinvestment as a means of leveraging state
63dollars;
64     (c)  Aligning research and development efforts with
65established, statewide economic-development strategies,
66including an emphasis on identified economic clusters;
67     (d)  Facilitating value-added job creation through
68continuous improvement in university research, as well as
69entrepreneurship and capital-development programs; and
70     (e)  Establishing Florida as a leading state for
71entrepreneurship and innovation, with continued commitment to
72university Centers of Excellence and an expanding base of
73research and development.
74     (3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
75     (a)  "A 21st Century World Class Scholar" means a principal
76researcher/investigator who has high academic credentials,
77demonstrated competence, and experience that meets the
78requirements established by the board for a 21st Century World
79Class Scholar.
80     (b)  "Applicant" means any state university, private
81university located in this state, or any private or public
82research center, community college, or training center in this
83state which coordinates with a state university for purposes of
84this act.
85     (c)  "Board" means the Florida Technology, Research, and
86Scholarship Board.
87     (d)  "Center of Excellence" means an organization of
88personnel, facilities, and equipment established at or in
89collaboration with one or more state universities to accomplish
90the purposes and objectives of this act.
91     (e)  "Research center" means an institute, center, or
92clinic that includes research and development or education as a
93principal mission of the organization.
94     (f)  "State university" means a Florida public university
95as defined in s. 1000.21.
96     (4)  FLORIDA TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH, AND SCHOLARSHIP
97BOARD.--The Florida Technology, Research, and Scholarship Board
98is created within the Board of Governors of the State University
99System to guide the establishment of Centers of Excellence and
100the attraction of world class scholars.
101     (a)  The board shall consist of 11 members. Seven members
102shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom the Governor
103shall appoint as chair of the board, and one of whom must be a
104member of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.,
105and one of whom must be a member of the Board of Governors of
106the State University System. Two members shall be appointed by
107the President of the Senate and two members shall be appointed
108by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Appointed
109members must be representative of business leaders, industrial
110researchers, academic researchers, scientists, and leaders in
111the emerging and advanced technology sector. Appointed members
112may not serve for more than 4 years and any vacancy that occurs
113during these appointees' terms shall be filled in the same
114manner as the original appointment. A majority of members
115constitutes a quorum.
116     (b)  Members of the board shall serve without compensation,
117but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and
118travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061 while in the
119performance of their duties.
120     (c)  The Board of Governors shall provide staff support for
121the activities of the board and per diem and travel expenses for
122board members.
123     (d)  The board is charged with recommending criteria to the
124Board of Governors for the 21st Century World Class Scholars
125Program and with providing guidance to the Board of Governors
126regarding the implementation and administration of the Centers
127of Excellence Program. The board shall recommend to the Board of
128Governors the qualifications, standards, and requirements for
129approval of investments in Centers of Excellence under this act.
130The board may form committees of its members, and is encouraged
131to consult with Enterprise Florida, Inc., the Florida Research
132Consortium, Bio-Florida, IT Florida, the Florida Aviation and
133Aerospace Alliance, and any other entity whose input may be
134helpful in determining the requirements and standards for the
135program.
136     (5)  THE 21ST CENTURY WORLD CLASS SCHOLARS PROGRAM.--
137     (a)  This act allocates resources to attract 21st Century
138World Class Scholars to state universities by cofunding
139endowments for salaries and operating funds and cofunding the
140purchase of equipment in support of the scholar's research.
141     (b)  The 21st Century World Class Scholars Program shall be
142used as a tool to develop the state's capabilities in science
143and high-technology research, emphasizing Florida's identified
144strengths in science and technology disciplines while also
145recognizing new technologies as they may emerge.
146     (c)  The board, in consultation with senior administrators
147of state universities, state university foundation directors,
148the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, the
149board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and leading
150members of private industry, shall develop and recommend to the
151Board of Governors criteria for the 21st Century World Class
152Scholars Program.
153     (d)  In developing the recommended criteria for the 21st
154Century World Class Scholars Program, the board shall consider
155the following guidelines to judge a state university's
156qualification for an award:
157     1.  The presence of distinguished faculty members,
158including whether the university has a substantial history of
159external funding, along with the strong potential for attracting
160a scholar of national or international eminence.
161     2.  The presence of academically outstanding graduate
162students, along with the promise and potential for attracting
163additional highly qualified students.
164     3.  The presence of adequate research and scholarly support
165services.
166     4.  The existence of an academic environment having
167appropriate infrastructure, including buildings, classrooms,
168libraries, laboratories, and specialized equipment, which is
169conducive to the conduct of the highest quality of scholarship
170and research.
171     5.  The demonstration of concordance with Florida's
172strategic plan for economic development or an emphasis on one or
173more emerging sciences or technologies that could favorably
174impact the state's economic future.
175     (e)  A minimum amount of private funds, no less than $1
176million, must be coinvested with state dollars to recruit a 21st
177Century World Class Scholar. State appropriations may not be
178used for this purpose.
179     (f)  Upon the verification by the Board of Governors that a
180state university has met the criteria for a 21st Century World
181Class Scholar, the Board of Governors shall immediately release
182matching funds to the university's endowment in support of the
183scholar. Private funding shall be eligible for a one-to-one
184match from the state. Endowment proceeds may be used for the
185salary or to supplement the salary of the 21st Century World
186Class Scholar or for individuals directly associated with the
187scholar's research and for expenses related to the research.
188     (g)  This act does not replace or obviate existing
189programs.     (6)  CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.--
190     (a)  The purposes and objectives of a Center of Excellence
191include:
192     1.  Identifying and pursuing opportunities for university
193scholars, research center scientists and engineers, and private
194businesses to form collaborative partnerships to foster and
195promote the research required to develop commercially promising,
196advanced, and innovative science and technology and to transfer
197those discoveries to commercial sectors.
198     2.  Acquiring and leveraging public-sector and private-
199sector funding to provide the totality of funds, personnel,
200facilities, equipment, and other resources needed to support the
201research required to develop commercially promising, advanced,
202and innovative science and technology and to transfer those
203discoveries to commercial sectors.
204     3.  Recruiting and retaining world class scholars, high-
205performing students, and leading scientists and engineers in
206technology disciplines to engage in research in this state and
207to develop commercially promising, advanced, and innovative
208science and technology.
209     4.  Enhancing and expanding science and technology
210curricula and laboratory resources at universities and research
211centers in this state.
212     5.  Increasing the number of high-performing students in
213science and technology disciplines who graduate from
214universities in this state and pursue careers in this state.
215     6.  Stimulating and supporting the inception, growth, and
216diversification of science and technology-based businesses and
217ventures in Florida and increasing employment opportunities for
218the workforce needed to support such businesses.
219     (b)  The board shall recommend to the Board of Governors
220criteria for approving proposals to create or expand a Center of
221Excellence. Such criteria must consider:
222     1.  The maturity of the applicant's existing programs
223relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
224     2.  The comprehensiveness and effectiveness of site plans
225relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
226     3.  The existing amount of the applicant's resources
227dedicated to activities relating to a proposed Center of
228Excellence.
229     4.  The regional economic structure and climate.
230     5.  The degree to which the applicant identifies and seizes
231opportunities to collaborate with other public or private
232entities for research purposes.
233     6.  The presence of a comprehensive performance and
234accountability measurement system.
235     7.  The use of an integrated research and development
236strategy using multiple levels of the educational system.
237     8.  The ability of the applicant to raise research funds
238and leverage public and private investment dollars to support
239advanced and emerging scientific and technological research and
240development projects.
241     9.  The degree to which the applicant transfers advanced
242and emerging sciences and technologies from its laboratories to
243the commercial sector.
244     10.  The degree to which the applicant stimulates and
245supports the creation of new ventures.
246     11.  The existence of a plan to enhance academic curricula
247by improving communication between academia and industry.
248     12.  The existence of a plan to increase the number,
249quality, and retention rate of faculty and graduate students in
250advancing and emerging science and technology-based disciplines.
251     13.  The existence of a plan to increase the likelihood of
252faculty and graduate students pursuing private-sector careers in
253the state.
254     14.  The ability of the applicant to provide capital
255facilities necessary to support research and development.
256     (c)  The board shall periodically solicit proposals for
257Centers of Excellence. The board may issue broad solicitations
258for applicants to establish a Center of Excellence, including
259entities other than state universities. All applicants must
260submit and demonstrate coordination with one or more state
261universities in order to be eligible for funding. The board may
262solicit proposals for a more defined Center of Excellence that
263is intended to meet identified needs or capitalize on perceived
264technology and research opportunities. The board shall notify
265the president of each state university and applicable research
266centers in this state of the call for proposals.
267     (d)  The board shall recommend to the Board of Governors
268for approval and funding those proposals that meet the criteria
269approved by the Board of Governors.
270     (e)  If no proposal is judged worthy of approval during a
271solicitation cycle, an approval need not be made. This act does
272not establish a limit for an investment amount; however, any
273approval for a single Center of Excellence exceeding $20 million
274must be documented to have superior prospects for success in its
275field of research and offer outstanding opportunities to
276leverage state dollars.
277     (7)  ANNUAL REPORT.--
278     (a)  Any Center of Excellence receiving funding pursuant to
279this section shall provide at least annual reports to the board
280and the Board of Governors concerning its achievement of
281objectives as identified and presented in the approved proposal.
282     (b)  The Board of Governors of the State University System
283shall issue an annual report by December 31 each year of the
284activities conducted, including the accomplishments and overall
285economic benefits to the state, the number of 21st Century World
286Class Scholars attracted, the number of Centers of Excellence
287created or expanded, the success of collaborations with related
288industries, and the success of these programs. The annual report
289shall be presented to the Governor, the President of the Senate,
290and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The annual
291report must include a copy of an independent audit of the board
292and a review of the progress of programs established pursuant to
293this section.
294     (8)  EXPIRATION.--This section shall expire June 30, 2011.
295     Section 2.  For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the sum of $200
296million is appropriated from nonrecurring general revenue to the
297Board of Governors of the State University System, of which $100
298million shall be allocated for the 21st Century World Class
299Scholars Program and $100 million for the Centers of Excellence
300Program. Notwithstanding s. 216.301, Florida Statutes, and
301pursuant to s. 216.351, Florida Statutes, any unexpended balance
302from this appropriation shall be carried forward at the end of
303each fiscal year until the 2009-2010 fiscal year. At the end of
304the 2009-2010 fiscal year, any remaining balance of this
305appropriation which has not been disbursed by the Board of
306Governors shall revert unallocated to the General Revenue Fund.
307     Section 3.  The following sums of money and full-time
308equivalent positions are appropriated to the Board of Governors
309of the State University System for the 2006-2007 fiscal year for
310the purpose of administering this act:
311     (1)  Two full-time equivalent positions and 130,000 in
312approved annual salary rate;
313     (2)  The sum of $162,959 from recurring general revenue
314funds for salaries and benefits;
315     (3)  The sum of $101,892 from recurring general revenue
316funds for expenses;
317     (4)  The sum of $3,800 from nonrecurring general revenue
318funds for operating capital outlay; and
319     (5)  The sum of $786 from recurring general revenue funds
320for transfer to the Department of Management Services for the
321Human Resource Services Statewide Contract.
322     Section 4.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.