HB 1237

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to special postsecondary education
3	programs; 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; providing guidelines
20	for the board in the development of criteria for
21	recommendation to the Board of Governors; requiring a
22	minimum investment of funds; specifying the purposes of
23	the Centers of Excellence; specifying entities eligible to
24	submit proposals; requiring the board to recommend to the
25	Board of Governors criteria for approving proposals to
26	create or expand a Center of Excellence, to solicit
27	proposals, and to recommend proposals that meet such
28	criteria; requiring documentation if funds are approved
29	for a Center of Excellence in excess of a specified
30	amount; requiring reports by Centers of Excellence and the
31	Board of Governors; providing for expiration of the act;
32	creating s. 1004.635, F.S.; creating the State University
33	System Research and Economic Development Investment
34	Program to provide matching funds to institutions to
35	construct and acquire facilities and equipment to support
36	research programs and foster economic development;
37	providing for administration by the Board of Governors of
38	the State University System; specifying eligibility
39	criteria for state university participation; providing for
40	the matching of appropriated funds; providing
41	appropriations; creating s. 1004.384, F.S.; authorizing a
42	College of Medicine at the University of Central Florida;
43	creating s. 1004.385, F.S.; authorizing a College of
44	Medicine at Florida International University; providing an
45	effective date.
46
47	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
48
49	Section 1.  Section 1004.226, Florida Statutes, is created
50	to read:
51	1004.226  The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
52	Scholarship Enhancement Act.--
53	(1)  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.--
54	(a)  The Legislature finds that diversifying this state's
55	economy requires a focus on building a growing base of high-wage
56	jobs and on nurturing those technologies and clusters that will
57	be the foundation of Florida's growing economic diversity and
58	prosperity.
59	(b)  The Legislature further finds that special programs
60	are needed to facilitate the recruitment of exceptional talent
61	to Florida's research universities and centers and to provide
62	the infrastructure and resources that precipitate joint efforts
63	and coinvestment among state research and development
64	institutions, private industry, and government. Florida needs
65	consistent commitment and investment in order to further the
66	state's strategy of capitalizing on innovative research and
67	development to build a thriving, technology-rich economy.
68	(2)  CREATION.--The 21st Century Technology, Research, and
69	Scholarship Enhancement Act is created for the purpose of:
70	(a)  Investing in programs that attract world class
71	scholars and building Centers of Excellence as an important
72	means of increasing technology-based business in this state;
73	(b)  Requiring coinvestment as a means of leveraging state
74	dollars;
75	(c)  Aligning research and development efforts with
76	established, statewide economic-development strategies,
77	including an emphasis on identified economic clusters;
78	(d)  Facilitating value-added job creation through
79	continuous improvement in university research, as well as
80	entrepreneurship and capital-development programs; and
81	(e)  Establishing Florida as a leading state for
82	entrepreneurship and innovation, with continued commitment to
83	university Centers of Excellence and an expanding base of
84	research and development.
85	(3)  DEFINITIONS.--As used in this section, the term:
86	(a)  "A 21st Century World Class Scholar" means a principal
87	researcher/investigator who has high academic credentials,
88	demonstrated competence, and experience that meets the
89	requirements established by the board for a 21st Century World
90	Class Scholar.
91	(b)  "Board" means the Florida Technology, Research, and
92	Scholarship Board.
93	(c)  "Center of Excellence" means an organization of
94	personnel, facilities, and equipment established to accomplish
95	the purposes and objectives of this act.
96	(d)  "Community college" means a Florida public community
97	college as defined in s. 1000.21.
98	(e)  "Private university" means a baccalaureate degree-
99	granting independent nonprofit university which is accredited by
100	the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
101	Colleges and Schools and which is located in and chartered as a
102	domestic corporation by the state.
103	(f)  "Research center" means an institute, center, or
104	clinic that includes research and development or education as a
105	principal mission of the organization.
106	(g)  "State university" means a Florida public university
107	as defined in s. 1000.21.
108	(4)  FLORIDA TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCH, AND SCHOLARSHIP
109	BOARD.--The Florida Technology, Research, and Scholarship Board
110	is created within the Board of Governors of the State University
111	System to guide the establishment of Centers of Excellence and
112	the attraction of world class scholars.
113	(a)  The board shall consist of 11 members. Seven members
114	shall be appointed by the Governor, one of whom the Governor
115	shall appoint as chair of the board, one of whom must be a
116	member of the board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc.,
117	and one of whom must be a member of the Board of Governors of
118	the State University System. Two members shall be appointed by
119	the President of the Senate and two members shall be appointed
120	by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Appointed
121	members must be representative of business leaders, industrial
122	researchers, academic researchers, scientists, and leaders in
123	the emerging and advanced technology sector. Appointed members
124	may not serve for more than 4 years and any vacancy that occurs
125	during these appointees' terms shall be filled in the same
126	manner as the original appointment. A majority of members
127	constitutes a quorum.
128	(b)  Members of the board shall serve without compensation,
129	but are entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and
130	travel expenses in accordance with s. 112.061 while in the
131	performance of their duties.
132	(c)  The Board of Governors shall provide staff support for
133	the activities of the board and per diem and travel expenses for
134	board members.
135	(d)  The board is charged with recommending criteria to the
136	Board of Governors for the 21st Century World Class Scholars
137	Program and with providing guidance to the Board of Governors
138	regarding the implementation and administration of the Centers
139	of Excellence Program. The board shall recommend to the Board of
140	Governors the qualifications, standards, and requirements for
141	approval of investments in Centers of Excellence under this act.
142	The board may form committees of its members and is encouraged
143	to consult with Enterprise Florida, Inc., the Florida Research
144	Consortium, Bio-Florida, IT Florida, the Florida Aviation and
145	Aerospace Alliance, and any other entity whose input may be
146	helpful in determining the requirements and standards for the
147	program.
148	(5)  THE 21ST CENTURY WORLD CLASS SCHOLARS PROGRAM.--
149	(a)  This act allocates state matching funds to attract
150	21st Century World Class Scholars to state universities.
151	(b)  The 21st Century World Class Scholars Program shall be
152	used as a tool to develop the state's capabilities in science
153	and high-technology research, emphasizing Florida's identified
154	strengths in science and technology while also recognizing new
155	technologies as they may emerge.
156	(c)  The board, in consultation with senior administrators
157	of state universities, state university foundation directors,
158	the Office of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development, the
159	board of directors of Enterprise Florida, Inc., and leading
160	members of private industry, shall develop and recommend to the
161	Board of Governors criteria for the 21st Century World Class
162	Scholars Program. Such criteria shall address, at a minimum, the
163	following:
164	1.  The presence of distinguished faculty members,
165	including whether the university has a substantial history of
166	external funding, along with the strong potential for attracting
167	a scholar of national or international eminence.
168	2.  The presence of academically outstanding students,
169	along with the promise and potential for attracting additional
170	highly qualified students.
171	3.  The presence of adequate research and scholarly support
172	services.
173	4.  The existence of an academic environment having
174	appropriate infrastructure, including buildings, classrooms,
175	libraries, laboratories, and specialized equipment, that is
176	conducive to the conduct of the highest quality of scholarship
177	and research.
178	5.  The demonstration of concordance with Florida's
179	strategic plan for economic development or an emphasis on one or
180	more emerging sciences or technologies that could favorably
181	impact the state's economic future.
182	(d)  A state university must raise a minimum of $1 million
183	to be eligible for state matching funds to recruit a 21st
184	Century World Class Scholar. Funds raised by the university
185	shall be eligible for a one-to-one match from the state.
186	Revenues received from state appropriations, student tuition and
187	fees, and state-funded contracts or grants are not eligible for
188	state match.
189	(e)  Upon the verification by the Board of Governors that a
190	state university has met the criteria for a 21st Century World
191	Class Scholar, the Board of Governors shall release matching
192	funds to the university. Funds shall be used for the purpose of
193	recruiting a 21st Century World Class Scholar and shall be
194	expended according to an expenditure plan approved by the Board
195	of Governors.
196	(f)  Nothing in this act is intended to replace or obviate
197	existing programs.
198	(6)  CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.--
199	(a)  The purposes and objectives of a Center of Excellence
200	include:
201	1.  Identifying and pursuing opportunities for university
202	scholars, research center scientists and engineers, and private
203	businesses to form collaborative partnerships to foster and
204	promote the research required to develop commercially promising,
205	advanced, and innovative science and technology and to transfer
206	those discoveries to commercial sectors.
207	2.  Acquiring and leveraging public-sector and private-
208	sector funding to provide the totality of funds, personnel,
209	facilities, equipment, and other resources needed to support the
210	research required to develop commercially promising, advanced,
211	and innovative science and technology and to transfer those
212	discoveries to commercial sectors.
213	3.  Recruiting and retaining world class scholars, high-
214	performing students, and leading scientists and engineers in
215	technology disciplines to engage in research in this state and
216	to develop commercially promising, advanced, and innovative
217	science and technology.
218	4.  Enhancing and expanding science and technology
219	curricula and laboratory resources at universities and research
220	centers in this state.
221	5.  Increasing the number of high-performing students in
222	science and technology disciplines who graduate from
223	universities in this state and pursue careers in this state.
224	6.  Stimulating and supporting the inception, growth, and
225	diversification of science and technology-based businesses and
226	ventures in Florida and increasing employment opportunities for
227	the workforce needed to support such businesses.
228	(b)  The following entities are eligible to submit
229	proposals for a Center of Excellence:
230	1.  Any state university.
231	2.  Any private university.
232	3.  The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research
233	Institute.
234	4.  The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition,
235	Inc..
236	5.  Any community college, training center, or other public
237	or private research center in the state that coordinates with a
238	state university for purposes of this act.
239	(c)  The board shall recommend to the Board of Governors
240	criteria for approving proposals to create or expand a Center of
241	Excellence. Such criteria shall consider:
242	1.  The maturity of the applicant's existing programs
243	relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
244	2.  The comprehensiveness and effectiveness of site plans
245	relating to a proposed Center of Excellence.
246	3.  The existing amount of the applicant's resources
247	dedicated to activities relating to a proposed Center of
248	Excellence.
249	4.  The regional economic structure and climate.
250	5.  The degree to which the applicant identifies and seizes
251	opportunities to collaborate with other public or private
252	entities for research purposes.
253	6.  The presence of a comprehensive performance and
254	accountability measurement system.
255	7.  The use of an integrated research and development
256	strategy using multiple levels of the educational system.
257	8.  The ability of the applicant to raise research funds
258	and leverage public and private investment dollars to support
259	advanced and emerging scientific and technological research and
260	development projects.
261	9.  The degree to which the applicant transfers advanced
262	and emerging sciences and technologies from its laboratories to
263	the commercial sector.
264	10.  The degree to which the applicant stimulates and
265	supports the creation of new ventures.
266	11.  The existence of a plan to enhance academic curricula
267	by improving communication between academia and industry.
268	12.  The existence of a plan to increase the number,
269	quality, and retention rate of faculty and graduate students in
270	advancing and emerging science and technology-based disciplines.
271	13.  The existence of a plan to increase the likelihood of
272	faculty and graduate students pursuing private-sector careers in
273	the state.
274	14.  The ability of the applicant to provide capital
275	facilities necessary to support research and development.
276	(d)  The board shall periodically solicit proposals for
277	Centers of Excellence. To call for proposals, the board shall
278	notify the president or chief executive officer of the eligible
279	entities identified in paragraph (b).
280	(e)  The board shall recommend to the Board of Governors
281	for approval and funding those proposals that meet the criteria
282	approved by the Board of Governors.
283	(f)  If no proposal is judged worthy of approval during a
284	solicitation cycle, an approval need not be made. This act does
285	not establish a limit for an investment amount; however, any
286	approval for a single Center of Excellence exceeding $20 million
287	must be documented to have superior prospects for success in its
288	field of research and offer outstanding opportunities to
289	leverage state dollars.
290	(7)  ANNUAL REPORT.--
291	(a)  Any Center of Excellence receiving funding pursuant to
292	this section shall provide at least annual reports to the board
293	and the Board of Governors concerning its achievement of
294	objectives as identified and presented in the approved proposal.
295	(b)  The Board of Governors shall issue an annual report by
296	December 31 each year of the activities conducted, including the
297	accomplishments and overall economic benefits to the state, the
298	number of 21st Century World Class Scholars attracted, the
299	number of Centers of Excellence created or expanded, the success
300	of collaborations with related industries, and the success of
301	these programs. The annual report shall be presented to the
302	Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the
303	House of Representatives. The annual report must include a copy
304	of an independent audit of the board and a review of the
305	progress of programs established pursuant to this section.
306	(8)  EXPIRATION.--This section shall expire June 30, 2011.
307	Section 2.  Section 1004.635, Florida Statutes, is created
308	to read:
309	1004.635  State University System Research and Economic
310	Development Investment Program.--
311	(1)  LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--It is the intent of the
312	Legislature to create an investment program in state
313	universities that enhances graduate education and enables state
314	universities to become nationally competitive in science and
315	technology-based economic development.
316	(2)  GENERAL PROVISIONS.--There is created the State
317	University System Research and Economic Development Investment
318	Program to provide matching funds to eligible institutions to
319	construct and acquire cutting-edge, state-of-the-art science and
320	engineering research facilities and specialized equipment to
321	support research programs, foster economic development, and
322	accelerate Florida's innovation economy. The program shall be
323	administered by the Board of Governors of the State University
324	System.
325	(3)  INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.--To be eligible to
326	participate in the State University System Research and Economic
327	Development Investment Program, a state university must meet
328	each of the following criteria:
329	(a)  The number of nonprofessional doctoral degrees awarded
330	each year must exceed 250. For purposes of this section,
331	nonprofessional doctoral degrees do not include degrees awarded
332	in law, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine. At least
333	25 percent of the nonprofessional doctoral degrees must be in a
334	mathematics, science, technology, engineering, or health-related
335	discipline as defined by Classification of Instructional Program
336	codes.
337	(b)  The number of postdoctoral appointees reported in the
338	most recent NSF/NIH Survey of Graduate Students and
339	Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering must exceed 200.
340	(c)  The 4-year undergraduate graduation rate must equal 40
341	percent or higher.
342	(d)  Expenditures from externally awarded contracts and
343	grants must be a minimum of $100 million per year.
344	(e)  The university must have a proven track record of
345	securing patents and licenses leading to products in the
346	marketplace over the last 5 years.
347	(f)  At least 75 percent of the entering freshmen each
348	academic year who are classified as residents for tuition
349	purposes pursuant to s. 1009.21 must be eligible to receive
350	Florida Bright Futures Scholarships.
351
352	The Board of Governors shall develop uniform guidelines,
353	definitions, and reporting formats for a university to use to
354	demonstrate that it meets each of the criteria described in this
355	subsection. The Board of Governors shall determine the
356	eligibility status of a state university to participate in the
357	program.
358	(4)  USE OF FUNDS.--Funds appropriated for the State
359	University System Research and Economic Development Investment
360	Program shall be used by the Board of Governors to match funds
361	raised by an eligible university from nonuniversity sources on a
362	one-time dollar-for-dollar basis.
363	Section 3.  For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the sum of
364	$150,000,000 is appropriated from nonrecurring general revenue
365	funds to the Board of Governors of the State University System
366	of which $50 million shall be allocated for the 21st Century
367	World Class Scholars Program, $50 million shall be allocated for
368	the Centers of Excellence Program, and $50 million shall be
369	allocated for the State University System Research and Economic
370	Development Investment Program.
371	Section 4.  Section 1004.384, Florida Statutes, is created
372	to read:
373	1004.384  University of Central Florida College of
374	Medicine.--As approved by the Board of Governors of the State
375	University System on March 23, 2006, a College of Medicine is
376	authorized at the University of Central Florida.
377	Section 5.  Section 1004.385, Florida Statutes, is created
378	to read:
379	1004.385  Florida International University College of
380	Medicine.--As approved by the Board of Governors of the State
381	University System on March 23, 2006, a College of Medicine is
382	authorized at Florida International University.
383	Section 6.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2006.

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