HB 1237

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to advanced science and technology
3	research; creating s. 1004.226, F.S.; creating the 21st
4	Century Technology, Research, and Scholarship Enhancement
5	Act; providing legislative findings and intent; providing
6	definitions; creating the Florida Technology, Research,
7	and Scholarship Board within the Board of Governors of the
8	State University System; providing for members of the
9	board; providing for terms; providing for board members to
10	be reimbursed for per diem and expenses incurred in the
11	performance of their duties; requiring that the Board of
12	Governors of the State University System provide staff
13	support and other support for the board; requiring that
14	the board provide recommendations for the 21st Century
15	World Class Scholars Program and the Centers of Excellence
16	Program; authorizing the board to form committees and
17	consult with certain other entities; providing for the
18	21st Century World Class Scholars Program to provide
19	matching funds to state universities to pay salaries and
20	support research in science and technology; providing
21	guidelines for the board in the development of criteria
22	for recommendation to the Board of Governors; requiring a
23	minimum investment of private funds; specifying the
24	purposes of the Centers of Excellence; requiring the board
25	to recommend to the Board of Governors criteria for
26	approving proposals to create or expand a Center of
27	Excellence, to solicit proposals, and to recommend
28	proposals that meet such criteria; requiring documentation
29	if funds are approved for a Center of Excellence in excess
30	of a specified amount; requiring reports by Centers of
31	Excellence and the Board of Governors; providing for
32	expiration of the act; providing appropriations and
33	authorizing positions; providing for carrying forward
34	certain unexpended balances; providing an effective date.
35
36	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
37
38	Section 1.  Section 1004.226, Florida Statutes, is created
39	to read:
40	1004.226  The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
41	Scholarship Enhancement Act.--
42	(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--
43	(a)  The Legislature finds that diversifying this state's
44	economy requires a focus on building a growing base of high-wage
45	jobs and on nurturing those technologies and clusters that will
46	be the foundation of Florida's growing economic diversity and
47	prosperity.
48	(b)  The Legislature further finds that special programs
49	are needed to facilitate the recruitment of exceptional talent
50	to Florida's research universities and centers and to provide
51	the infrastructure and resources that precipitate joint efforts
52	and coinvestment among state research and development
53	institutions, private industry, and government. Florida needs
54	consistent commitment and investment in order to further the
55	state's strategy of capitalizing on innovative research and
56	development to build a thriving, technology-rich economy.
57	(2)  CREATION.--The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
58	Scholarship Enhancement Act is created for the purpose of:
59	(a)  Investing in programs that attract world class
60	scholars and building Centers of Excellence as an important
61	means of increasing technology-based business in this state;
62	(b)  Requiring coinvestment as a means of leveraging state
63	dollars;
64	(c)  Aligning research and development efforts with
65	established, statewide economic-development strategies,
66	including an emphasis on identified economic clusters;
67	(d)  Facilitating value-added job creation through
68	continuous improvement in university research, as well as
69	entrepreneurship and capital-development programs; and
70	(e)  Establishing Florida as a leading state for
71	entrepreneurship and innovation, with continued commitment to
72	university Centers of Excellence and an expanding base of
73	research and development.
74	(3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
75	(a)  "A 21st Century World Class Scholar" means a principal
76	researcher/investigator who has high academic credentials,
77	demonstrated competence, and experience that meets the
78	requirements established by the board for a 21st Century World
79	Class Scholar.
80	(b)  "Applicant" means any state university, private
81	university located in this state, or any private or public
82	research center, community college, or training center in this
83	state which coordinates with a state university for purposes of
84	this act.
85	(c)  "Board" means the Florida Technology, Research, and
86	Scholarship Board.
87	(d)  "Center of Excellence" means an organization of
88	personnel, facilities, and equipment established at or in
89	collaboration with one or more state universities to accomplish
90	the purposes and objectives of this act.
91	(e)  "Research center" means an institute, center, or
92	clinic that includes research and development or education as a
93	principal mission of the organization.
94	(f)  "State university" means a Florida public university
95	as defined in s. 1000.21.
96	(4)  FLORIDA TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH, AND SCHOLARSHIP
97	BOARD.--The Florida Technology, Research, and Scholarship Board
98	is created within the Board of Governors of the State University
99	System to guide the establishment of Centers of Excellence and
100	the attraction of world class scholars.
101	(a)  The board shall consist of 11 members. Seven members
102	shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom the Governor
103	shall appoint as chair of the board, and one of whom must be a
104	member of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.,
105	and one of whom must be a member of the Board of Governors of
106	the State University System. Two members shall be appointed by
107	the President of the Senate and two members shall be appointed
108	by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Appointed
109	members must be representative of business leaders, industrial
110	researchers, academic researchers, scientists, and leaders in
111	the emerging and advanced technology sector. Appointed members
112	may not serve for more than 4 years and any vacancy that occurs
113	during these appointees' terms shall be filled in the same
114	manner as the original appointment. A majority of members
115	constitutes a quorum.
116	(b)  Members of the board shall serve without compensation,
117	but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and
118	travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061 while in the
119	performance of their duties.
120	(c)  The Board of Governors shall provide staff support for
121	the activities of the board and per diem and travel expenses for
122	board members.
123	(d)  The board is charged with recommending criteria to the
124	Board of Governors for the 21st Century World Class Scholars
125	Program and with providing guidance to the Board of Governors
126	regarding the implementation and administration of the Centers
127	of Excellence Program. The board shall recommend to the Board of
128	Governors the qualifications, standards, and requirements for
129	approval of investments in Centers of Excellence under this act.
130	The board may form committees of its members, and is encouraged
131	to consult with Enterprise Florida, Inc., the Florida Research
132	Consortium, Bio-Florida, IT Florida, the Florida Aviation and
133	Aerospace Alliance, and any other entity whose input may be
134	helpful in determining the requirements and standards for the
135	program.
136	(5)  THE 21ST CENTURY WORLD CLASS SCHOLARS PROGRAM.--
137	(a)  This act allocates resources to attract 21st Century
138	World Class Scholars to state universities by cofunding
139	endowments for salaries and operating funds and cofunding the
140	purchase of equipment in support of the scholar's research.
141	(b)  The 21st Century World Class Scholars Program shall be
142	used as a tool to develop the state's capabilities in science
143	and high-technology research, emphasizing Florida's identified
144	strengths in science and technology disciplines while also
145	recognizing new technologies as they may emerge.
146	(c)  The board, in consultation with senior administrators
147	of state universities, state university foundation directors,
148	the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, the
149	board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and leading
150	members of private industry, shall develop and recommend to the
151	Board of Governors criteria for the 21st Century World Class
152	Scholars Program.
153	(d)  In developing the recommended criteria for the 21st
154	Century World Class Scholars Program, the board shall consider
155	the following guidelines to judge a state university's
156	qualification for an award:
157	1.  The presence of distinguished faculty members,
158	including whether the university has a substantial history of
159	external funding, along with the strong potential for attracting
160	a scholar of national or international eminence.
161	2.  The presence of academically outstanding graduate
162	students, along with the promise and potential for attracting
163	additional highly qualified students.
164	3.  The presence of adequate research and scholarly support
165	services.
166	4.  The existence of an academic environment having
167	appropriate infrastructure, including buildings, classrooms,
168	libraries, laboratories, and specialized equipment, which is
169	conducive to the conduct of the highest quality of scholarship
170	and research.
171	5.  The demonstration of concordance with Florida's
172	strategic plan for economic development or an emphasis on one or
173	more emerging sciences or technologies that could favorably
174	impact the state's economic future.
175	(e)  A minimum amount of private funds, no less than $1
176	million, must be coinvested with state dollars to recruit a 21st
177	Century World Class Scholar. State appropriations may not be
178	used for this purpose.
179	(f)  Upon the verification by the Board of Governors that a
180	state university has met the criteria for a 21st Century World
181	Class Scholar, the Board of Governors shall immediately release
182	matching funds to the university's endowment in support of the
183	scholar. Private funding shall be eligible for a one-to-one
184	match from the state. Endowment proceeds may be used for the
185	salary or to supplement the salary of the 21st Century World
186	Class Scholar or for individuals directly associated with the
187	scholar's research and for expenses related to the research.
188	(g)  This act does not replace or obviate existing
189	programs.     (6)  CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.--
190	(a)  The purposes and objectives of a Center of Excellence
191	include:
192	1.  Identifying and pursuing opportunities for university
193	scholars, research center scientists and engineers, and private
194	businesses to form collaborative partnerships to foster and
195	promote the research required to develop commercially promising,
196	advanced, and innovative science and technology and to transfer
197	those discoveries to commercial sectors.
198	2.  Acquiring and leveraging public-sector and private-
199	sector funding to provide the totality of funds, personnel,
200	facilities, equipment, and other resources needed to support the
201	research required to develop commercially promising, advanced,
202	and innovative science and technology and to transfer those
203	discoveries to commercial sectors.
204	3.  Recruiting and retaining world class scholars, high-
205	performing students, and leading scientists and engineers in
206	technology disciplines to engage in research in this state and
207	to develop commercially promising, advanced, and innovative
208	science and technology.
209	4.  Enhancing and expanding science and technology
210	curricula and laboratory resources at universities and research
211	centers in this state.
212	5.  Increasing the number of high-performing students in
213	science and technology disciplines who graduate from
214	universities in this state and pursue careers in this state.
215	6.  Stimulating and supporting the inception, growth, and
216	diversification of science and technology-based businesses and
217	ventures in Florida and increasing employment opportunities for
218	the workforce needed to support such businesses.
219	(b)  The board shall recommend to the Board of Governors
220	criteria for approving proposals to create or expand a Center of
221	Excellence. Such criteria must consider:
222	1.  The maturity of the applicant's existing programs
223	relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
224	2.  The comprehensiveness and effectiveness of site plans
225	relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
226	3.  The existing amount of the applicant's resources
227	dedicated to activities relating to a proposed Center of
228	Excellence.
229	4.  The regional economic structure and climate.
230	5.  The degree to which the applicant identifies and seizes
231	opportunities to collaborate with other public or private
232	entities for research purposes.
233	6.  The presence of a comprehensive performance and
234	accountability measurement system.
235	7.  The use of an integrated research and development
236	strategy using multiple levels of the educational system.
237	8.  The ability of the applicant to raise research funds
238	and leverage public and private investment dollars to support
239	advanced and emerging scientific and technological research and
240	development projects.
241	9.  The degree to which the applicant transfers advanced
242	and emerging sciences and technologies from its laboratories to
243	the commercial sector.
244	10.  The degree to which the applicant stimulates and
245	supports the creation of new ventures.
246	11.  The existence of a plan to enhance academic curricula
247	by improving communication between academia and industry.
248	12.  The existence of a plan to increase the number,
249	quality, and retention rate of faculty and graduate students in
250	advancing and emerging science and technology-based disciplines.
251	13.  The existence of a plan to increase the likelihood of
252	faculty and graduate students pursuing private-sector careers in
253	the state.
254	14.  The ability of the applicant to provide capital
255	facilities necessary to support research and development.
256	(c)  The board shall periodically solicit proposals for
257	Centers of Excellence. The board may issue broad solicitations
258	for applicants to establish a Center of Excellence, including
259	entities other than state universities. All applicants must
260	submit and demonstrate coordination with one or more state
261	universities in order to be eligible for funding. The board may
262	solicit proposals for a more defined Center of Excellence that
263	is intended to meet identified needs or capitalize on perceived
264	technology and research opportunities. The board shall notify
265	the president of each state university and applicable research
266	centers in this state of the call for proposals.
267	(d)  The board shall recommend to the Board of Governors
268	for approval and funding those proposals that meet the criteria
269	approved by the Board of Governors.
270	(e)  If no proposal is judged worthy of approval during a
271	solicitation cycle, an approval need not be made. This act does
272	not establish a limit for an investment amount; however, any
273	approval for a single Center of Excellence exceeding $20 million
274	must be documented to have superior prospects for success in its
275	field of research and offer outstanding opportunities to
276	leverage state dollars.
277	(7)  ANNUAL REPORT.--
278	(a)  Any Center of Excellence receiving funding pursuant to
279	this section shall provide at least annual reports to the board
280	and the Board of Governors concerning its achievement of
281	objectives as identified and presented in the approved proposal.
282	(b)  The Board of Governors of the State University System
283	shall issue an annual report by December 31 each year of the
284	activities conducted, including the accomplishments and overall
285	economic benefits to the state, the number of 21st Century World
286	Class Scholars attracted, the number of Centers of Excellence
287	created or expanded, the success of collaborations with related
288	industries, and the success of these programs. The annual report
289	shall be presented to the Governor, the President of the Senate,
290	and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The annual
291	report must include a copy of an independent audit of the board
292	and a review of the progress of programs established pursuant to
293	this section.
294	(8)  EXPIRATION.--This section shall expire June 30, 2011.
295	Section 2.  For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the sum of $200
296	million is appropriated from nonrecurring general revenue to the
297	Board of Governors of the State University System, of which $100
298	million shall be allocated for the 21st Century World Class
299	Scholars Program and $100 million for the Centers of Excellence
300	Program. Notwithstanding s. 216.301, Florida Statutes, and
301	pursuant to s. 216.351, Florida Statutes, any unexpended balance
302	from this appropriation shall be carried forward at the end of
303	each fiscal year until the 2009-2010 fiscal year. At the end of
304	the 2009-2010 fiscal year, any remaining balance of this
305	appropriation which has not been disbursed by the Board of
306	Governors shall revert unallocated to the General Revenue Fund.
307	Section 3.  The following sums of money and full-time
308	equivalent positions are appropriated to the Board of Governors
309	of the State University System for the 2006-2007 fiscal year for
310	the purpose of administering this act:
311	(1)  Two full-time equivalent positions and 130,000 in
312	approved annual salary rate;
313	(2)  The sum of $162,959 from recurring general revenue
314	funds for salaries and benefits;
315	(3)  The sum of $101,892 from recurring general revenue
316	funds for expenses;
317	(4)  The sum of $3,800 from nonrecurring general revenue
318	funds for operating capital outlay; and
319	(5)  The sum of $786 from recurring general revenue funds
320	for transfer to the Department of Management Services for the
321	Human Resource Services Statewide Contract.
322	Section 4.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.

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